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Glite Dictionary
vowel point

vowel point

9.3
A small mark written above or below a letter to show its vowel sound
  • noun
  • /ˈvaʊəl pɔɪnt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : punto vocal
  • In Hebrew, each vowel point represents a specific vocalization for the consonant.

Examples

  • The Arabic script uses vowel points to clarify pronunciation, especially for learners.

  • Linguists study vowel points to understand how ancient texts were pronounced.

  • A vowel point is essential.

  • The vowel points are crucial!

  • In Hebrew, each vowel point indicates a specific vowel sound for the consonant.

  • Linguists study vowel points to understand the pronunciation of ancient texts.

  • The Arabic language uses vowel points to help learners with correct pronunciation.

Synonyms

diacritic
vsvowel point
  • Specialized
8.6

A small mark that changes the sound of a letter

is used specifically to mark vowel sounds on consonant letters in some scripts
diacritical mark
vsvowel point
  • Specialized
6.4

A small sign written on a letter to show how to say it or to change its meaning

is limited to marking vowel sounds on consonant letters in some scripts

Surface Forms

vowel point singular
vowel points plural

Morphology

vowel + point

The meaning 'a mark added to indicate a vowel sound' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'vowel' (relating to vowel sound) + 'point' (a mark, dot, or sign). This follows a common cross-linguistic pattern (vowel diacritics/marks), so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will most likely infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Vowel point comes from the simple practice of writing small marks or dots next to consonant letters to show which vowel to say. The word point refers to that little mark and vowel shows it tells the reader the vowel sound, so vowel point means a small mark added to a consonant 'to indicate a vowel sound'.