Önghljóð

Önghljóð is an Icelandic term referring to a specific type of sound in phonetics. It translates roughly to "nasal vowel" or "nasalized vowel." These are vowel sounds produced with air passing through both the mouth and the nose. In Icelandic linguistics, önghljóð is a recognized category of sounds, distinct from purely oral vowels. The degree of nasality can vary, and in some languages, it can be phonemic, meaning a difference in nasality can distinguish between two words. While the term is specific to Icelandic scholarship, the phonetic phenomenon of nasal vowels exists in many languages around the world, including French, Portuguese, and many others. Understanding önghljóð involves analyzing the articulation of vowels, specifically the lowering of the velum, which allows air to escape through the nasal cavity. This nasal resonance affects the perceived quality of the vowel. The study of önghljóð contributes to the broader field of phonetics and phonology, helping to describe and classify the diverse range of human speech sounds.