How many distinctive phonemic quantity (length) degrees exist for vowels and consonants in standard Estonian?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. Three (short, long, and overlong)
- Step 1: Estonian is phonologically notable among European languages for having a three-way distinction in segment length. Step 2. The three phonemic quantity degrees are short (Q1), long (Q2), and overlong (Q3), distinguishing words such as sada (hundred), saada (send!), and saada (to get). Answer: Three (short, long, and overlong). Why not the others: Two degrees exist in Finnish and Swedish; four is not a phonemic distinction; one contradicts Estonian phonology.
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