Zero (linguistics)

In linguistics, a zero or null is a segment which is not pronounced or written.

It is a useful concept in analysis, indicating lack of an element where one might be expected.

It is usually written with the symbol "∅", in Unicode U+2205 ∅ EMPTY SET (∅, ∅, ∅, ∅).

A common ad hoc solution is to use the Scandinavian capital letter Ø instead.

There are several kinds of zero: