Vowel harmonyAgreement in a particular domain for one or more distinctive features between vowels that are not adjacent to one another (cf. consonant harmony). Languages that display vowel harmony include Hungarian, Finnish, Turkish and many others. |
Vowel qualityThe timbre of a vowel caused almost entirely by the frequencies of the vowel formants. Compare with vowel quantity. |
Vowel quantityThe approximate length of a vowel, especially as compared to other vowels in the same vowel system. |
Vowel systemThe set of contrastive vowel qualities found in a particular language. |
Wav fileA common format for storing sounds as computer files. |
WaveformA display of the amplitude (=loudness) of sound during time. |
Weak formThe form in which a word is pronounced when it is unstressed. This term is usually applied only to words that normally occur unstressed, such as English to, a. Cf. strong form. |
WeakeningSee lenition. |
WeightA property of syllables, which may be divided into light and heavy syllables: heavy syllables typically have a long vowel or diphthong, or sometimes a short vowel plus consonant (see also mora). |
WordThe smallest free form found in a language. |