Sound: [r]

Signifying:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. form/type (rare): –
            2. (functionally) active, dynamic

place of articulation: front of the tongue and back of the alveolar ridge/hard palate

manner of articulation: approximant

voiced/voiceless: voiced

 

Our studies show that the early sounds were of semiotic value. Therefore, we use signify semiotically (instead of sign) for the sounds. The semiotic value of the approximant sound [r] is:

[formally/typically] –

(functionally) active, dynamic, motional

 

Points with the sound [r] in the phonetic/phonemic system:

1. The signification conveyed by the sound [r] is directly related to action, dynamicity, and motion. This sound is not related to ‘form’ or ‘type’ of phenomena. Therefore, it never comes at the beginning [of a word] because the first sound of a word formation commonly signifies the form or type. In case of occurring at the beginning there would be a vowel sound preceding: [vowel + r]

Rza (name) → İrza

2. The sound [r] has had complexity with the sound [l] since the early phases of language and it is still possible to found. This complexity is due to the significations they convey.

[r] active, dynamic

[l] trans-, shifting, converting

 

Because of the above functionalities with both sounds their coming at the beginning of a word is rare in Türki since they can’t signify a form.

3. The sound [r] has articulating complexity with the sound [y]

4. The sound [r] has got a signification contradictory with that of the sound [z]

This pair but contradictory significations with the sounds [r] and [z] are quiet obvious in the form of graphic signs in the Arabic alphabet:

The sound [r] signifies: acting, dynamicity, motion

The sound [z] signifies: fixedness, staticity, firmness