Diacritical marks, also known as accent marks, are symbols added to letters that affect pronunciation. They are commonly used to indicate tone, stress, or sound changes in vowels and consonants. Here’s a breakdown of common diacritical marks and their influence on pronunciation:
1. Acute Accent (´)
Used in languages like Spanish, French, and Portuguese, this mark signals stress or a sharper pronunciation.
- Example: é in French café.
2. Grave Accent (`)
Indicates a lower or more open vowel sound, found in languages like French and Italian.
- Example: è in Italian caffè.
3. Circumflex (ˆ)
Often signifies a lengthened vowel or historical change in sound.
- Example: â in French pâte.
4. Tilde (˜)
Common in Spanish, the tilde indicates a nasalized sound or distinct pronunciation.
- Example: ñ in niño (boy).
5. Diaeresis (¨)
Shows that two vowels should be pronounced separately, rather than as a diphthong.
- Example: naïve in English.
6. Cedilla (¸)
Found under the letter c, changing its pronunciation from a hard k sound to a soft s sound.
- Example: ç in French garçon.
7. Macron (¯)
Indicates a long vowel sound, particularly in languages like Latin and Māori.
- Example: ā in Latin amāre (to love).
Conclusion
Diacritical marks offer essential guidance on pronunciation and meaning in many languages. Understanding how they function helps speakers achieve accuracy in both spoken and written communication.