Vowels

Vowels

1. Pure vowels

   • Don't obstruct the air flow, it's siply modified
     • Can be classified between
       • Long vowels
         • Tend to be long
           • They are:
             • i:
               • Example: peace
             • ɜ:
               • Example: bird
             • ɑ:
               • Example: half
             • ɔ:
               • Example: horse
             • u:
               • Example: soon
             • Short and long vowels are different from each other in lenght and quality
               • Vowels can also be different in quality according to
                 • Tongue height
                   • It refers to the distance between the surface of the tongue and the roof of the mouth
                     • Close
                       • Smaller distance
                         • Example: /i:/ as in see
                     • Open
                       • Greater distance
                         • Example: /æ/ as in cat
                 • The part of the tongue that is raised
                   • Front
                     • The front part of the tongue is the highest point.
                       • Example: /i:/ as in eat
                   • Back
                     • The back part of the tongue is the highest point.
                       • Example: /ɑ:/ as in calm
                 • Lip-position
                   • Rounded
                     • Where the corners of the lips are brought towards each other and the lips pushed forwards
                       • Example: /u:/ as in tunic
                   • Spread
                     • With the corners of the lips moved away from each other, as for a smile
                       • Example: /i:/ as in pea
                   • Neutral
                     • Where the lips are not noticeably rounded or spread
                       • Example: /3:/ as in work
       • Short vowels
         • Are relatively short
           • They are:
             • ɪ
               • Example: fish
             • æ
               • Example: cat
             • e
               • Example: yes
             • ʌ
               • Example: cup
             • ɒ
               • Example: cross
             • ʊ
               • Example: put
             • ə
               • It's called schwa and it's always associated with weak sillables
               • Example: about

2. Dipthongs

   • Consist of a movement or glide from one vowel to another
     • The first part is much longer and stronger than the second part
       • Are similar to the long vowels in lenght
         • Can be classified between
           • Centring
             • Glide towards ə, which is in the centre
               • Ending in ə
                 • ɪə
                 • eə
                 • ʊə
           • Closing
             • End with a glide towards a closer vowel
               • Three of them glide towards ɪ
                 • Ending in ɪ
                   • eɪ
                   • aɪ
                   • ɔɪ
               • Two diphthongs glide towards ʊ
                 • Ending in ʊ
                   • aʊ
                   • əʊ

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