The Vowel Sounds of English with focus on “front” vowels San José State University Adapted from Liz Beacham

“Spelling” vs. /sownd/ English has ___ vowel letters “a” – “e” – “i” – “o” – “u” (sometimes “y” – “w”)

“Spelling” vs. /sownd/ English has five vowel letters “a” – “e” – “i” – “o” – “u” (sometimes “y” – “w”)

“Spelling” vs. /sownd/ English has five vowel letters “a” – “e” – “i” – “o” – “u” (sometimes “y” – “w”) English has _______ vowel sounds /iy/ - /ɪ/ - /ey/ - /ɛ/ - /æ/ - /ə/ /uw/ - /ɔ/ - /ow/ - /a/ - /ʊ/ /ay/ - /aw/ - /oy/

“Spelling” vs. /sownd/ English has five vowel letters “a” – “e” – “i” – “o” – “u” (sometimes “y” – “w”) English has fourteen vowel sounds /iy/ - /ɪ/ - /ey/ - /ɛ/ - /æ/ - /ə/ /uw/ - /ɔ/ - /ow/ - /a/ - /ʊ/ /ay/ - /aw/ - /oy/

The Vowels of General American English

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vs. Lax English vowels are said to be either “tense” or “lax”

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vs. Lax English vowels are said to be either “tense” or “lax” This refers to the qualities of the vowels in relation to each other

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vs. Lax English vowels are said to be either “tense” or “lax” This refers to the qualities of the vowels in relation to each other For example: /iy/ (as in “beat”) is tense /I/ (as in “bit”) is lax

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vowels = sometimes called “long” Lax vowels = sometimes called “short” Tense generally are pronounced for a slightly longer time

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vowels = sometimes called “long” Lax vowels = sometimes called “short” Tense generally are pronounced for a slightly longer time

Important Terminology: “Tenseness” Tense vowels = sometimes called “long” Lax vowels = sometimes called “short” Tense generally are pronounced for a slightly longer time **The length of time that the sound is pronounced is not what distinguishes these sounds from each other—it is the position of the tongue that really makes the difference**

The Vocal Tract

/iy/ /I/ The “Front” Vowels

/iy/ /I/ Leader Seek Eat He’s Reach The “Front” Vowels

/iy/ The “Front” Vowels /I/ Leader Seek Eat He’s Reach Litter Sick It His Rich The “Front” Vowels

/ey/ /ɛ/ The “Front” Vowels

/ey/ /ɛ/ Wait Pain Taste Age The “Front” Vowels

/ey/ /ɛ/ Wait Pain Taste Age Wet Pen Test Edge The “Front” Vowels

/æ/ /ɛ/ The “Front” Vowels

/æ/ /ɛ/ Bad Ladder Sat Add The “Front” Vowels

/æ/ /ɛ/ Bad Ladder Sat Add Bed Letter Set Ed The “Front” Vowels

Useful Websites “Phonetics: The Sounds of American English” http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/englis h/frameset.html The Sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet (with sound files) http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc- soundsipa.htm Minimal Pair Practice Games & Quizzes http://www.manythings.org/pp/