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

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

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

4. “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/

5. “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/

6. The Vowels of General American English

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

8. 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

9. 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

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

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

12. 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**

13. The Vocal Tract

14. /iy/
/I/
The “Front” Vowels

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

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

17. /ey/
/ɛ/
The “Front” Vowels

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

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

20. /æ/
/ɛ/
The “Front” Vowels

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

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

23. Useful Websites “Phonetics: The Sounds of American English”
h/frameset.html
The Sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet (with sound files)
soundsipa.htm
Minimal Pair Practice Games & Quizzes