vowels

1
vowels

• The difference between vowels and consonants
  common view vowels are sounds where there is no
  obstruction to the flow of air as it passes the
  larynx to the lips.
• The main difference is in their distribution of
  sounds.
• In what ways are vowels different from each
  other?
• the shape of the tongue
• The position of the tongue

2
Shape and position of the tongue

• The vertical distance between the upper surface
  of the tongue and the palate.
• The part of the tongue, between the front and
  back, which is raised the highest.
• Example i see - the tongue is held up
  close to the roof of the mouth
• ae cat - more space btw surface of the
  tongue and palate

3
Front back close - open

• difference between i and ae is the
  difference of tongue height.
• i is a relatively close vowel and ae is a
  relatively open vowel
• in i and ae front part of the tongue is
  raised, -comparatively front vowels
• in a calm the back of the tongue is the
  highest point - back vowel (refer trans 1 2)

4
Cardinal vowels a standard reference
systemprimary cardinal vowels the vowels that
are most familiar to European speakers.

• (refer trans 2)
• i as close and as front as possible to make
  a vowel without obstructing the flow of air
• a the most open and back vowel
• u fully close and back

5
Another variable of vowel quality is lip rounding.

• 1. Rounded where the corners of the lips
  are brought towards each other and the lips are
  pushed forward u
• 2. Spread the corners of the lips move
  away from each other, like smiling i
• 3. Neutral lips stay neutral. Like saying
  er

6
Tutorial activities

• Discuss English short vowels as presented in the
  cardinal charts on pages 15 16 (Roach)
• Exercises on page 18.
• Discuss English long vowels as presented in the
  charts on pages19 20
• What are tense lax vowels?
• Exercises on page 26

7
Diphthongs

• A movement of vowels glide from one vowel to
  another
• The first part is much longer and stronger than
  the second.
• Example ai eye, I - a is
  pronounced much longer and stronger than I
• Total number of diphthongs are 8. (refer trans 3)

8
Three groups of diphthongs

• Centring the centring diphthongs glide towards
  the (schwa) vowel (which is in the centre of
  the cardinal chart)
• The closing diphthongs end with a glide towards a
  closer vowel a glide from a relatively more
  open towards a relatively more close vowel.
• ending in i
• ending in u (diff. Sym!)

9
triphthongs

• Most complex vowel type
• A glide from one vowel to another and then toa
  third, all produced rapidly without interruption.
• Example hour
• Triphthongs composed of the 5 closing
  diphthongs with the schwa added to the end.
• (refer trans 4)
• the middle of the triphthongs can hardly be
  heard, thus causing confusion smts.