ENGLISH VOWELS

Vowel sounds are classified in

terms of:

Tongue height

Tongue backness

Lip rounding

Tenseness

Vowels are classified in terms of how much space there is between the tongue and the roof of the mouth, which is determined by the height of the tongue.

There are three primary height distinctions among vowels: high (close), low (open), and mid.

Tongue Height

Vowels are classified in terms of how far the raised body of the tongue is from the back of the mouth, which is called the backness of the tongue.

There are three primary height distinctions among vowels: front, back, and central.

Tongue backness

Another aspect of vowel classification is the presence or absence of lip rounding . Some vowels, such as the vowels/u/and /ɒ/ are formed with a high degree of lip rounding.

Such vowels are called rounded vowels. Some vowels, such as /i/ and /ɜ:/, are formed without such rounding, and are called unrounded vowels.

Lip Rounding/Posture

This diagram displays the two extreme lip postures and two intermediate lip postures. The high front cardinal vowel [i] has a very spread lip posture. The high back cardinal vowel [u] has a very tightly rounded lip posture. The low front cardinal vowel [a] has a spread lip posture but this is a more neutral posture than for [i] because the lower jaw position for this vowel causes the lips to be more open. The half-open back cardinal vowel [ɔ] has a rounded lip posture but the lips are more open then for [u] because of the lower jaw position.

Another aspect of vowel classification is commonly characterized in terms of the tenseness or laxness of the articulators.

Tenseness

Some vowels, such as the vowels /i/ and /e/, are formed with a high degree of tenseness. Such vowels are called tense vowels. Some vowels, such as /ɪ/ and /ɜ:/, are formed without a high degree of tenseness, and are called lax vowels.

ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 1/ i:/

The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate. It is a FRONT vowel. The tongue is raised towards a close position, so it is a CLOSE vowel. The tongue is tense The lips are spread or neutral.

REGULARLY SPELT:

ee: tree, cheese, canteen e: complete, be, these ea: leaf, reason, sea ie: piece, field, siegeey, ei: seize, key, receivei: machine, police, prestige, suite NOTE: people

ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 2 /ɪ/

The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard palate. It is a FRONT vowel. The tongue height is near a half close position, so it is a half close vowel. The tongue is lax. The lips are spread.

REGULARLY SPELT:

i: fifth, rich, sit, with y: city, rhythm, symbole: pretty, needed, wicked, except. carelessie: ladies, cities, countriesa: village, private

NOTE: build, Sunday

ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 3 / e /

The front of the tongue is raised so, it is a FRONT vowel. The tongue height is between half close and half open. The tongue is lax.The lips are slightly spread.

REGULARLY SPELT:

e: bed, wet, went ea: breath, dead, heada: many, Thames

NOTE: says, said, bury, Geoffrey, Leicester, friend, ate, again.

ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 4 /æ/

The front of the tongue is raised so, it is a FRONT vowel. The height of the tongue is between half open and open. The tongue is lax.The lips are spread.

REGULARLY SPELT:

a: hand, lamp, macho, marry, rash, sat ai: plaid, plait