this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2024
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[–] pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works 8 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The difference is so narrow that I wouldn't notice any difference apart from the length, the first and last e are very slightly shorter than the middle e. And of course you have the usual going-down-with-your-voice-at-the-end-of-the-word

[–] lugal@lemmy.world 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yes, we often call them "long" and "short" E but the short E is actually halfway to A. It's a different vowel even though it's written the same. The last E is the vowel we often have in unstressed syllables like gekommen, same in English upon, about. We write it as E but it's basically the most relaxed vowel possible.

Look at this vowel chart to see and hear the differences.

[–] pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago) (1 children)

Wouldn't e halfway to a be ä

The short e in Mercedes is much closer to e than to ä

[–] lugal@lemmy.world 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Yesn't.

E and Ä are basically the same sounds but you use the letter Ä to indicate that the root word has an A. Fähre is derived from fahren so it has Ä but it's the same sound as the first E in Mercedes.

[–] pumpkinseedoil@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 month ago

At least in Austria the first e in Mercedes is much closer to e than to ä.

On the other hand many actual ä are also much closer to e than to ä in Austria so ig it might be different in Germany.