The article deals with morphonological interpretation of vowel change. Non-automatic vowel change makes contrast between the motivated word (marked member) and simple word (unmarked member) more expresive. Changes in the stem of basic word performs an informative function: {šūk-} + {-is}, {bar-} + {-stīti}, {pastab-} + {-a}. There are some oppositions in which the function of vowel change becomes close to an internal flexion: {lauž}ti ‘to break smth’ : {lūž}ti ‘to break up (spontaneously)’. In the Lithuanian language there are such word-formation oppositions in which semiosis can be recognized (a parallel between the content and expression): {snig}ti ‘to snow’ : {sneig}ėti ‘to snow quietly’.
That, vowel change can perform not only informative, but also an iconic function
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