Linguistics 105 * Words and Sounds
Lecture Number Five
The Articulatory Properties
of Vowels


  1. Natural Classes of Vowels

    Vowels are classified according to the (1) advancement and (2) height of the tongue in pronunciation, (3) the tenseness of the tongue and (4) whether or not the lips are rounded during pronunciation. Finally, like consonants, vowels may be characterized by (5) nasality.

    Vowels, vowels, everywhere

    1. Advancement. During the pronunciation of a vowel the tongue may be advanced or retracted to approximately three positions: (a) the front, (b) central or (c) back of the mouth.

      Table 1 : Advancement
      Front [i, ø, e, ê, À]
      Central [ª, Ï, Í]
      Back [í, u, o, a, Ø]
      ([ª] = "u" in French dur)

    2. Height. The tongue may be raised (a) high, to a (b) mid position, or remain (c) low.

      Table 2 : Height
      High [i, ø, ª, í, u]
      Mid [e, ê, Ï, o, Ø]
      Low [À, Í, a]

    3. Tenseness. TENSE [i, e, u, o] versus LAX [ø, ê, í, o] and [À, Ø,]
    4. Labialization. ROUNDED [y, à, í, u, Ø, o] (also English [r])
    5. Nasalization. Polish [» Â]; French [³ Æ y‚ à‚ Ð]
    6. Suprasegmental elements: Stress, Length, Tone


  2. Examples of English vowels

    1. Lax Vowels: Stressed Unstressed Reduced
      ø implþcit simplþstic implicútion
      ê allõge tempõstuous allegútion
      À emphútic fantústic õmphasis
      í hýodwink nõighborhood .
      a demýnstrable prognýsis demonstrútion
      Ø cúuse causúlity .
      Ï confþrm verbýse confirmútion
      Í confrýnt umbrõlla confrontútion

    2. Tense Vowels: Stressed Unstressed Reduced
      i [ij] deprõciÚte creúte dõprecate
      e [ej] explúin chaýtic Õxplanútion
      o [ow] invýke vocútion Þnvocútion
      u [uw] refáte Úcoustþcian rÕfutútion

    3. Diphthongs: Stressed Unstressed Reduced
      aj recþte citútion rÕcitútion
      aw devýut outsþder .
      Øj explýit Õxploitútion .
      ju compáte cÝmputútion cþrcular

  3. Conclusion

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