Glossary: morphology and phonology

See variable stress.

A pair of pronunciations, either of which can be used: the choice is not governed by grammatical factors.

Rate of repetition of a (semi-)periodic function. Frequency is measured in Hertz (Hz; 1000 Hz=1 kHz). 1 Hz is one cycle per second, so, if, for instance, a periodic waveform repeats 100 cycles per second, its frequency is 100 Hz. Compare word frequency.

A sound produced by forcing air through a narrow constriction, which creates turbulence, resulting in audible friction noise. Examples of fricatives are [f s x].

An older term for median approximant.

A vowel formed with the tongue horizontally positioned in front of the space for vowel articulation, closest to the mouth opening.

A word, such as a determiner, conjunction, or modal, that has a grammatical function and is best characterized by this function. Contrasts with content word.

The rate of vibration of the vocal folds. Also called F0.

Characterized by the combination of two or more morphosyntactic features in a single morpheme; adjective applied to morphological systems where this type of morphology is pervasive.

In tense systems, a tense that expresses the meaning ‘occurring later than the moment of speech’.