Explanation
The meeting of two vowels at a syllable or word boundary without merging. In the atlas, hiatus is explored as a relationship between form, expectation, and effect. It marks an audible boundary in the flow of vowels.
Example
“Theater” is pronounced as a multisyllabic word with separate vowels.
Counterexample
The “au” in “Haus” forms a diphthong.
Distinction
The “au” in “Haus” forms a diphthong.
Effect on thought and perception
The term marks an audible boundary in the flow of vowels. As a result, a linguistic order that was previously taken for granted becomes perceptible as an active thought process.
Resonance
Resonance arises when hiatus is not only recognized but also experienced in its directional effect between expression, body, context, and interpretation.
Cite this entry
Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Hiatus“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-091-012. ATLAS 251, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-091-012The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. A verified modification date per entry is not yet available. Include your access date for precise references.