ääniteperhe

An ääniteperhe, or sound family, is a linguistic concept referring to a group of related phonemes within a language that share a common articulatory characteristic. These phonemes are produced in a similar manner or place in the mouth, leading to a perceived familial connection. For instance, in many languages, the voiceless stop /p/, voiced stop /b/, and aspirated stop /pʰ/ might be considered part of the same ääniteperhe because they are all stops produced at the bilabial (lips) point of articulation.

The concept helps linguists understand phonological systems and how sounds are organized and contrast within a language. While the exact members of an ääniteperhe can vary between languages, the underlying principle remains consistent: shared articulatory features create these sound families. This grouping is not based on how the sounds are perceived by speakers, but rather on the physical mechanics of their production. Studying ääniteperhe can shed light on sound change patterns and the development of language. It's a way to categorize sounds based on their "how" of creation, rather than their "what" of sound.