Phonology

How Does Stress Change a Word’s Meaning in English?

What's the difference between 'a rebel' and 'to rebel'? Just a tiny shift in emphasis. This seemingly small detail, known…

3 weeks ago

The Sound of Old English: How Was Beowulf Spoken?

We can read the words of Beowulf, but what did this ancient ancestor of English actually sound like? By using…

3 weeks ago

How ‘V’ and ‘B’ Became One in Spanish

Ever wondered why 'vaca' and 'boca' sound identical in Spanish, despite the different spellings? This isn't a mistake but a…

3 weeks ago

The Secret Logic of Pig Latin

Pig Latin isn't just about moving the first letter; it follows complex phonological rules based on syllables and their component…

3 weeks ago

The Birth of a Vowel: Epenthesis Explained

Ever wonder why 'athlete' sometimes sounds like 'ath-a-lete', or 'film' like 'fi-lum'? This isn't a speech error, but a fascinating…

3 weeks ago

The Pitch-Accent Puzzle of Japanese

In Japanese, a single word like `hashi` can mean 'bridge' or 'chopsticks' based on a subtle change in melody. This…

3 weeks ago

How to Invent an Alphabet

Ever dreamed of creating your own alphabet? This guide delves into the art and science of script creation, exploring the…

3 weeks ago

Verner’s Law: The Glitch in the System

Grimm's Law neatly explains many sound changes from ancient Proto-Indo-European to Germanic languages, but puzzling exceptions remained a mystery for…

3 weeks ago

The Law of Vowel Harmony

Ever wonder why languages like Turkish or Finnish sound so uniquely melodic? The secret lies in a hidden linguistic rule…

3 weeks ago

A World Without ‘P’: Phonemic Gaps

Did you know that some languages get by perfectly without sounds we consider fundamental, like the 'p' in 'puppy'? This…

3 weeks ago

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