üksikkõnesid

Üksikkõnesid refers to a phenomenon in linguistics, specifically within phonetics and phonology, that describes the realization of a single phoneme as a single sound. This is in contrast to situations where a single phoneme might be represented by multiple sounds (e.g., diphthongs, affricates) or where multiple phonemes might be realized by a single sound (e.g., assimilation). The term literally translates from Estonian as "single sound" or "single speech sound."

In essence, üksikkõnesid is the default or unmarked realization of a phoneme. For example, in many languages, the vowel sound /a/ is typically realized as a single, simple [a] sound. Similarly, a consonant like /p/ is usually realized as a single plosive [p]. The concept is important for understanding the relationship between abstract linguistic units (phonemes) and their concrete phonetic manifestations (speech sounds).

Deviations from üksikkõnesid can occur due to various phonetic processes, such as assimilation, where a sound becomes more like a neighboring sound, or coarticulation, where the production of one sound is influenced by adjacent sounds. Phonological rules can also lead to complex realizations of phonemes. Conversely, the absence of one or more sounds in rapid speech might lead to the perception of a single sound representing what would otherwise be multiple phonemes. Analyzing üksikkõnesid helps linguists map out the systematic sound patterns of a language.