The Vietnamese word "biến âm" translates to "phonetic variant" in English. It refers to the phenomenon where the pronunciation of a word changes based on its context, the sounds around it, or its grammatical function. This is common in many languages, including Vietnamese.
While "biến âm" primarily refers to phonetic variants, it can also imply: - A change in pronunciation that may lead to misunderstandings if not recognized, so context is crucial. - The concept of "biến âm" can also relate to how tone (which is significant in Vietnamese) might alter the meaning of a word.