sounds in which there is no obstruction of the airflow as they pass through the larynx
Vowels All vowels are considered voiced => the vocal cords are vibrating when producing the sounds
Characteristics of vowels Involves flow of the airstream out of the mouth over the central part of the tongue with stoppage or local turbulence in the mouth => central, oral, sonorant
Sonorants => Involves no closure or stricture of the stricture of the airstream but stead relatively unimpeded airflow Only some sonorants are oral Some vowels are nasalized. Vowel = central oral sonorant
Vowels Classification Positions of the tongue in the mouth 1.) Tongue height (how far the tongue is raised – high-mid-low) 2.) Tongue backness (which part of the tongue- front – central – back) 3.) Lip rounding (rounded – unrounded) 4.) A degree of tension (tense or lax)
1. Tongue height How much space there is between the tongue and roof of the mouth High i ‘bee’ Mid e ‘bet’ Low Q ‘bat’
2. Tongue back The horizontal tongue position during the articulation of a vowel. Front i ‘beat’ Central ‘bird’ Back u ‘boot’
Vowel diagram => is shaped as an inverted triangle or trapeziod. Can portray the positions of the highest point on the tongue for the respective vowels
Cardinal vowels Theoretical vowel qualities against which the actual vowels of the language are being compared. It has the 4 levels of IPA system iu e o a A
American English vowels Front Central Back High i ‘beat’ u ‘boot’ I ‘bit’ U ‘put’ Mid e ‘bait’ ‘sofa’ o ‘boat’ ‘bet’ ‘but’ ‘bought’ Low Q ‘bat’ ‘ po t’
British English vowels Front Central Back High i ‘beat’ u ‘boot’ I ‘bit’ U ‘put’ Mid e ‘bet’ ‘bird’ ‘bought’ ‘sofa’ ‘but’ Low Q ‘bat’ ‘pot’ A ‘bath’
3. Lip Rounding
4. Tenseness Some vowels need a greater degree of muscular tension in the mouth and jaw when they are produced than others. Tense vowels => produced with more muscular effort in the mouth and jaw (long vowels with symbol are tense) Lax vowels => produced with more relaxing mouth and jaw