Open Syllable Lengthening

In linguistics, open syllable lengthening is the process by which short vowels become long when in an open syllable. It occurs in many languages at a phonetic or allophonic level, where no meaningful distinction in length is made. However, as it became phonemic in many Germanic languages, it is especially significant there, both historically and in the modern languages.

Read more about Open Syllable Lengthening:  Germanic Languages

Famous quotes containing the words open, syllable and/or lengthening:

    The novelist is required to open his eyes on the world around him and look. If what he sees is not highly edifying, he is still required to look. Then he is required to reproduce, with words, what he sees.
    Flannery O’Connor (1925–1964)

    He generally added the syllable um to his words when he could,—as paddlum, etc.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    We mothers are learning to mark our mothering success by our daughters’ lengthening flight. When they need us, we are fiercely there. But we do not need them to need us—or to become us.
    Letty Cottin Pogrebin (20th century)