Unit 3 Vowels
Contents I. Lead-in II. What Are Vowels II. What Are Vowels III. Classification of Vowels III. Classification of Vowels IV. Pronunciation of Vowels IV. Pronunciation of Vowels
I. Lead-in 44 phonemes in English: 24 consonants & 20 vowels II. What Are Vowels Vowels Vowels are sounds produced without obstruction of the air passage in the mouth but with the vibration of the vocal cords.
III. Classification of Vowels 1. Monophthongs 单元音 1. Monophthongs 单元音 /i:, I, e, æ,Λ, ɜ :, ə, ɑ :, ɔ :, ɒ, u:, ʊ / /i:, I, e, æ,Λ, ɜ :, ə, ɑ :, ɔ :, ɒ, u:, ʊ / 4 different classification principles of monophthongs:
1) the part of the tongue raised 1) the part of the tongue raised 舌隆起的部位 舌隆起的部位 front vowels 前元音 / i:, I, e, æ / / i:, I, e, æ / central vowels 中元音 / ɜ :, ə, Λ / / ɜ :, ə, Λ / back vowels 后元音 / u:, ʊ, ɔ :, ɒ, ɑ : / / u:, ʊ, ɔ :, ɒ, ɑ : /
2) the length of vowels 元音的长度 2) the length of vowels 元音的长度 long vowels 长元音 / i:, ɜ :, ɑ :, ɔ :, u:/ / i:, ɜ :, ɑ :, ɔ :, u:/ short vowels 短元音 / I, e, æ, Λ, ə, ɒ, ʊ / / I, e, æ, Λ, ə, ɒ, ʊ /
3) the shape of the lips 唇形 3) the shape of the lips 唇形 rounded vowels 圆唇元音 / ɒ, ɔ :, ʊ, u: / / ɒ, ɔ :, ʊ, u: / vowels unrounded/spread vowels 非圆唇元音 / 扁唇元音 / ɑ :, Λ, ɜ :, ə, i:, I, e, æ / / ɑ :, Λ, ɜ :, ə, i:, I, e, æ /
4) the degree of tenseness of the muscles 肌肉的紧张度 4) the degree of tenseness of the muscles 肌肉的紧张度 tense vowels 紧元音 /i:, ɜ :, ɔ :, u:/ /i:, ɜ :, ɔ :, u:/ lax vowels 松元音 / I, e, æ, Λ, ə, ɒ, ʊ, ɑ : / / I, e, æ, Λ, ə, ɒ, ʊ, ɑ : /
2. Diphthongs 2. Diphthongs 双元音 /e, ə ʊ, a I, a ʊ, ɔ I, I ə, eə, ʊ ə/ /e I, ə ʊ, a I, a ʊ, ɔ I, I ə, eə, ʊ ə/ The 8 diphthongs can be classified as The 8 diphthongs can be classified as 1) closing/rising diphthongs 合口 / 上升 双元音 / e I, ə ʊ, a I, a ʊ, ɔ I / / e I, ə ʊ, a I, a ʊ, ɔ I / 2) centring diphthongs 集中双元音 / I ə, eə, ʊ ə/ / I ə, eə, ʊ ə/
IV. Pronunciation of Vowels 1. Monophthongs 1) Features in Common 1) Features in Common a. There is no obstruction of the air passage in the mouth; b. There is vibration of the vocal cords; c. The tongue, jaws and lips do not move from one position to another. 2) Pronunciation and Practice 2) Pronunciation and Practice (to be continued)