Chapter 9 Vowels and Diphthongs

Objectives The key to improving pronunciation and articulation in English is the vowels. Mastering the correct vowel sounds and placement of stress on the correct syllable will dramatically improve one’s overall pronunciation. In this chapter we will cover the five distinct vowel categorizations: Front, Back, Mid vowels, Vowel Diphthongs and Consonant diphthongs.

Preview of vowels Front vowels: [i] as in see, [I] as in sit, [e] as in ate, [ε] as in bet, and [æ] as in bat Mid-Vowels: [Λ] as in up, [ə] as in banana, [ɝ] as in early, and [ɚ] as in father Back vowels: [ʊ] as in book, [u] as in too, [o] as in rope, [ɔ] as in awful, and [ɑ] as in calm Diphthongs: [ɑɪ] as in ice, [ɑ ʊ] as in how, [ɔɪ] as in coin, [eɪ] as in raid, and [o ʊ] as in robe [ɚ] Diphthongs: [ɪ ɚ] as in gear, [ε ɚ] as in pair, [ɑ ɚ] as in car, [ʊ ɚ] as in poor, and [ɔ ɚ] as in pore

[i], [I], [e], [ε], [æ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b CM9RnDBZw Front vowels [i], [I], [e], [ε], [æ] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b CM9RnDBZw

[i] Sample sentence: She could see the reaping machines in the field. Spellings: e as in he ea as in eat eo as in people ey as in key i as in marine ee as in see ie as in field ei as in receipt is as in debris ae as in Caeser ay as in quay oe as Phoenix y as in easy

Production Open your mouth very slightly. Spread your lips just a little and pull the corners back slightly, as though you were going to smile. Your teeth should be almost touching. Touch the back molars with the sides of the back of the tongue. Put the tip of the tongue behind the lower teeth and arch the tongue up and forward. Continue to touch the rear upper teeth. Keep the soft palate tensed so that there’s no nasal emission of air. Produce voice.

[i] Practice words Beginning eat evening each equal Eden eagle ego Egypt Middle mean need Pete team increase keep believe receive End be knee pea Handy gooey ski tea fee

[i] Practice sentences Teach me how to heat the tea. Each week we had a new teacher. Sleet came from the eastern sky like drops of steel. The cheese spread made a greasy meal.

[ɪ] Sample sentence: The rich syrup spilled on the English book. Spellings: i as in sit e as in English ui as in build y as in syrup u as in busy ee as in been o as in women ei as in forfeit ie as in sieve

production Open your mouth very slightly. Your upper and lower teeth should be closed together, but not quite as close as for [i]. Spread your lips slightly, but don’t smile for this vowel. Touch the back sides of your tongue to the upper molars. Place the tip behind the lower front teeth. The back of the tongue will be slightly lower than it was for [i]. Produce voice.

Practice words Beginning it igloo itch is ingenious invent Ignite into Middle big dinner committee knit king flinch written printing End (y) candy baby honey rainy shiny foamy busy money

[ɪ ɚ] ear fear appear weird career hear clear cheers beard tear

practice sentences Many a tiny baby likes a bit of honey. Rags can ignite if left under a sink. I’m itching from sitting in poison ivy. Is he too ill to pitch this spring?

[i] eat meat deep cheek cheap [ɪ] it mitt dip chick chip Contrast [ɪ] and [i] [i] eat meat deep cheek cheap [ɪ] it mitt dip chick chip

[e] and [e ɪ ] Sample: The lady said the train was delayed eight hours. Spellings: a as in ate ea as in break ai as in train au as in gauge ey as in prey ei as in eight ay as in delay ee as in matinee et as in sachet

production Lower your tongue to a point just a bit lower than the position for [I]. Open your mouth slightly. Only the rear of your tongue should touch the upper back teeth, and the tip should be behind the lower front teeth. Produce voice. As you do, pull the corners of your lips back very slightly.

[e] mate state face trait [eɪ] maid stayed faze trade contrast [e] and [e ɪ ] [e] mate state face trait [eɪ] maid stayed faze trade

practice words Beginning able angel aim acre ache End gray pray weigh stay matinee Middle label place scrape relation chaotic

Practice sentences We’ll be able to meet you at the train by eight. It would be great to take the day off. They attacked the ape on the Empire State Building. Aim the bug spray away from your face.

[ɛ] Sample: I didn’t use my head when I made a bet with my friend. Spellings: e as in bet a as in any eo as in leopard u as in burial ea as in head ie as in friend ae as in aesthetic ai as in again ei as in heifer

production Open your mouth slightly wider than for [e]. The very back of the tongue is touching the upper molars, and the tip is behind the lower front teeth. Produce voice.

practice words BEGINNING MIDDLE END extra gentle care engine ledge spare exit heaven pair echo said dare elbow energy chair

practice sentences I need every bit of extra energy I can get. I sent the rent on Wednesday. The square room was carefully fitted with flared chair rails. Be careful where the bare carpet on the stairs has begun to tear.

Contrast [ɛ] and [ɪ] [ɛ] [ɪ] pen pin set sit head hit bet bit well will

Contrast [ɛ] and [e] [ɛ] [e] let late pen pain wet wait scent saint bet bait

[æ] Sample: A flat tire is no laughing matter. Spellings: a as in pat au as in laugh ai as in plaid

Production Drop your lower jaw noticeably from the position for [ɛ]. Place your tongue tip behind the lower front teeth. Flatten the entire tongue slightly, and raise the middle and back slightly. Produce voice. Make sure to keep the soft palate energized to prevent nasal emission of air.

Practice words actor antler ham grass anchor angry have pants BEGINNING BEGINNING MIDDLE MIDDLE actor antler ham grass anchor angry have pants attic ask band mask add ankle ranch bath atom amplify fact class

Practice sentences Can I have a hand with this anchor? Jack bought a canned ham. They were stranded on the grass strip after the crash. He gets angry when we ask too many questions in class.

Contrast [ɛ] and [æ] [ɛ] [æ] bet bat set sat left laughed pest past end and

On your own Provide 2 sample words for the following IPA sounds: [i] [ε] [æ] Be prepared to share aloud one word for each sound.

Next time We will continue Chapter 9: Back Vowels