Partikulas kaut izrunas varianti

Abstract

The article discusses phonetic changes in the pronunciation of the particle kaut. The particle kaut is considered in the word group with the indefinite pronouns kas and kāds in different cases and adverbs kur and kad in everyday speech – both in standard colloquial language and in low colloquial speech. In the research, the author analysed 160 tokens of the particle kaut in the colloquial speech. In about 20% of all cases, there are no changes in the pronunciation of the particle kaut. In these cases, the speech rate is slower, and the speaker aims for more precise pronunciation to reach the purpose of speech – to explain, clarify, and reveal information as clearly and understandable as possible. In 73% of pronunciation cases of the particle kaut, positional sound changes have happened – elision of the consonant [t] because of the following consonant [k]. Extra changes can be seen in 7% of pronunciation cases of the particle kaut. In standard colloquial language mostly, the particle kaut is used as the first component of an analytical lexical unit and is followed by indefinite pronouns kas and kāds in different grammatical cases and adverbs kad and kur. The precision of the pronunciation of the particle kaut and, thereby, sound changes happening in the word depend on the tasks given to the particle kaut and the reason it is used in a sentence. If the only task for the particle is to show the approximation or inaccuracy of the information given, the speaker does not worry about its pronunciation and makes it as simple as possible.