Transcript Vowel sounds are classified in terms of: Tongue height Tongue backness Lip rounding Tenseness.

Vowel sounds are classified in terms of:
Tongue height
Tongue backness
Lip rounding
Tenseness
Vowels are classified in terms of how much
space there is between the tongue and the
roof of the mouth, which is determined by
the height of the tongue.
There are three primary height distinctions
among vowels: high (close), low (open), and
mid.
Vowels are classified in terms of how
far the raised body of the tongue is
from the back of the mouth, which is
called the backness of the tongue.
There are three primary height
distinctions among vowels: front, back,
and central.
Another aspect of vowel classification is the
presence or absence of lip rounding . Some
vowels, such as the vowels/u/and /ɒ/ are
formed with a high degree of lip rounding.
Such vowels are called rounded vowels.
Some vowels, such as /i/ and /ɜ:/, are
formed without such rounding, and are
called unrounded vowels.
This diagram displays the two
extreme lip postures and two
intermediate lip postures. The
high front cardinal vowel [i] has a
very spread lip posture. The high
back cardinal vowel [u] has a very
tightly rounded lip posture. The
low front cardinal vowel [a] has a
spread lip posture but this is a
more neutral posture than for [i]
because the lower jaw position for
this vowel causes the lips to be
more open. The half-open back
cardinal vowel [ɔ] has a rounded
lip posture but the lips are more
open then for [u] because of the
lower jaw position.
Another aspect of vowel classification
is commonly characterized in terms of
the tenseness or laxness of the
articulators.
Some vowels, such as the vowels /i/
and /e/, are formed with a high
degree of tenseness. Such vowels are
called tense vowels.
Some vowels, such as /ɪ/ and /ɜ:/, are
formed without a high degree of
tenseness, and are called lax vowels.
ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 1/ i:/
The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard
palate. It is a FRONT vowel.
The tongue is raised towards a close position, so it
is a CLOSE vowel.
The tongue is tense
The lips are spread or neutral.
REGULARLY SPELT:
ee: tree, cheese, canteen
e: complete, be, these
ea: leaf, reason, sea
ie: piece, field, siege
ey, ei: seize, key, receive
i: machine, police, prestige, suite
NOTE: people
ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 2 /ɪ/
The front of the tongue is raised towards the hard
palate. It is a FRONT vowel.
The tongue height is near a half close position, so it is
a half close vowel.
The tongue is lax.
The lips are spread.
REGULARLY SPELT:
i: fifth, rich, sit, with
y: city, rhythm, symbol
e: pretty, needed, wicked, except.
careless
ie: ladies, cities, countries
a: village, private
NOTE: build, Sunday
ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 3 / e /
The front of the tongue is raised so, it is a
FRONT vowel.
The tongue height is between half close and
half open.
The tongue is lax.
The lips are slightly spread.
REGULARLY SPELT:
e: bed, wet, went
ea: breath, dead, head
a: many, Thames
NOTE: says, said, bury, Geoffrey,
Leicester, friend, ate, again.
ENGLISH VOWEL Nº 4 /æ/
The front of the tongue is raised so, it is a FRONT
vowel.
The height of the tongue is between half open
and open.
The tongue is lax.
The lips are spread.
REGULARLY SPELT:
a: hand, lamp, macho, marry,
rash, sat
ai: plaid, plait