The Vowel Sounds of English with focus on “front” vowels Teaching English in English Spring 2012 International Gateways San José State University

“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

The “Front” Vowels /iy/ /I/

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

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

The “Front” Vowels /ey/ /ɛ/

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

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

The “Front” Vowels /æ/ /ɛ/

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

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

Useful Websites “Phonetics: The Sounds of American English” http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/frameset.ht ml 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/ Audacity: Sound recording software http://audacity.sourceforge.net/