The Vowel Sounds of English with focus on

The Vowel Sounds of English with focus on “front” vowels SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY ADAPTED FROM LIZ BEACHAM

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

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

“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/

“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/

The Vowels of General American English

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

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

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

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

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

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**

The Vocal Tract

/iy/ / I/ The “Front” Vowels

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

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

/ey/ /ɛ/ The “Front” Vowels

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

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

/æ/ /ɛ/ The “Front” Vowels

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

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

Useful Websites �“Phonetics: English” The Sounds of American ◦ http: //www. uiowa. edu/~acadtech/phonetics/e nglish/frameset. html �The Sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet (with sound files) ◦ http: //www. antimoon. com/how/pronuncsoundsipa. htm �Minimal Pair Practice Games & Quizzes ◦ http: //www. manythings. org/pp/