vokaalvaheldused

Vokaalvaheldused, a term originating from Estonian linguistics, refers to the phenomenon of vowel alternation within a word, often indicating grammatical changes. This is a common feature in many Finno-Ugric languages, particularly Estonian. The alternations typically occur in specific patterns, affecting the stem of a word when it undergoes inflectional changes, such as moving from singular to plural or from nominative case to other cases.

There are several types of vokaalvaheldused, most notably the strong and weak grades. The strong grade often involves a longer or more open vowel sound, while the weak grade features a shorter or more closed vowel. For example, in Estonian, the word "tüdruk" (girl) might change its vowel in the genitive plural to "tüdrukute". The specific vowel that changes and the grade it shifts to depend on the historical phonological rules of the language. Understanding these alternations is crucial for correctly conjugating verbs and declining nouns in Estonian. It is a systematic process, not random, and follows predictable rules.