Telugu Language - Phonology

Phonology

Telugu words generally end in vowels.

Telugu features a form of vowel harmony wherein the second vowel in disyllabic noun and adjective roots alters whether the first vowel is tense or lax. If the second vowel is open (i.e. /aː/ or /a/), then the first vowel will be more open and centralized (e.g. 'goat', as opposed to 'nail'). Telugu words also have vowels in inflectional suffixes harmonized with the vowels of the preceding syllable.