suprasegmental distinctions
[/ˌsuːprəsɛɡˈmɛntəl dɪˈstɪŋkʃənz/]
nounpl: suprasegmental distinctions
distinções suprassegmentais
1. Linguistic features that extend over multiple segments (phonemes) such as stress, intonation, tone, and length that distinguish meaning in speech
In English, suprasegmental distinctions like stress differentiate between 'PREsent' (noun) and 'preSENT' (verb).
Em inglês, as distinções suprassegmentais como o acento diferem entre 'PREsent' (substantivo) e 'preSENT' (verbo).
2. Prosodic features that operate above the level of individual speech sounds and affect the perception and meaning of utterances
Suprasegmental distinctions in Mandarin Chinese include tonal variations that change word meanings entirely.
As distinções suprassegmentais no chinês mandarim incluem variações tonais que alteram completamente o significado das palavras.
This is primarily a linguistic and academic term used in phonetics and phonology studies. It is equally understood in both Brazil and Portugal within academic contexts. The term reflects the Chomskyan linguistic tradition emphasizing the distinction between segmental (individual sounds) and suprasegmental (features spanning multiple sounds) aspects of language.
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