vowels 2
DESCRIPTION
Vowels 2. LIN 3201. Some reminders about vowels…. 1. Vowels are described in three basic parameters:. Tongue height : [i] vs. [a] (high vs. low /close vs. open) Tongue backness : [i] vs. [u] (front vs. back) Lip rounding : [i] vs. [y] (rounded vs. unrounded). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Vowels 2LIN 3201
Some Some reminders reminders
about about vowels…vowels…
1. Vowels are described in 1. Vowels are described in three basic parameters:three basic parameters:
Tongue height: [i] vs. [a] (high vs. low /close
vs. open)Tongue backness: [i] vs. [u]
(front vs. back)Lip rounding: [i] vs. [y]
(rounded vs. unrounded)
2. Vowels, as syllable nuclei, 2. Vowels, as syllable nuclei, may occur alone in the nucleus may occur alone in the nucleus
or with other soundsor with other sounds
Pure vowels – a single vowel that maintains tongue positioning and lip rounding state during entire production of the vowel; [i] or [o]
Glided vowels – a combination of a vowel and another vowel or an approximant in the same syllable; tongue and lip position “glides” from production of sound a to sound b; [iy] or [ow]
Also known as diphthongsPerceived as being a single unit
3. Vowels are organized into 3. Vowels are organized into a reference system known as a reference system known as
Cardinal Vowels (CVs)Cardinal Vowels (CVs)Cardinal vowels are a system of universal
reference vowels
They don’t necessarily coincide with vowels of any one language (Especially not English!)
Considered to be auditorily equidistant steps, so your tongue doesn’t necessarily move in equidistant steps
They are all peripheral (occurring at the outermost boundaries of the vowel system) and pure
Primary CVsPrimary CVs
From 1-2-3-4 are equidistant steps; steps 5-8 continue with increasing roundness
Secondary CVsSecondary CVs
Version of Primary CVs with opposite rounding; because rounding state affects acoustics, steps are not equidistant like they are with primary CVs
4. Some languages use an 4. Some languages use an additional features to additional features to
describe vowel qualitiesdescribe vowel qualities Sometimes called “tense” vs. “lax” vowels, where
tense = tightened tongue musculature
Used to distinguish vowels in English [i] vs. [I]
Be cautious, this terminology is controversial
Some languages, like Akan or Twi, do have a vowel distinction in pharynx width
ATR – Advanced Tongue Root – is a better description than tense or lax (+ATR or –ATR) Involves lowering the larynx or advancing the root of the
tongue so that the pharyngeal cavity is enlarged
5. There are additional 5. There are additional modifications affecting modifications affecting
vowelsvowels Nasalization – send air through nasal
cavity during production of vowel Voicelessness – devoice vowel Length – vowel increase in length Diphthongs – combine with another
vowel (or approximant) in same syllable Rhotacization – adding “r-coloring” to vowel, as
in American English pronunciation of bird Gliding in general – adding vowel or
approximant in the same syllable before producing the primary vowel (on-glide) or after (off-glide)
Samples of vowel Samples of vowel modificationmodification
KNOW the diacritics for voicelessness, nasalazation and length!KNOW the diacritics for voicelessness, nasalazation and length!
IPA Vowel Chart for LIN 3201IPA Vowel Chart for LIN 3201
Courtesy of Dr. Caroline Wiltshire