Definition

A change in vowel sounds that occurs in certain languages, especially Indo-European, which often indicates a change in grammatical function or meaning. For example, the different vowel forms in the words 'sing', 'sang', and 'sung' show this type of change.

Example

The concept of ablaut is essential for understanding the verb conjugations in many Indo-European languages.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term ablaut?

Yeah, I think it refers to vowel changes in languages, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how it affects words in Indo-European languages.

For sure! I love how language evolves like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ablaut originates from German, specifically from the term 'Ablaut', meaning 'off-sound' or 'vowel gradation'. It refers to a systematic change in the vowel sounds of a word to indicate grammatical changes, particularly in Germanic languages.

Memory Tip

Think of 'Ablaut' as a way to describe how vowel sounds change in words, like a musical note that shifts to create different meanings.

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