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The Vowel Sounds of English with focus on “front” vowels Teaching English in English Spring 2012 International Gateways SAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY
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The Vowel Soundsof Englishwith focus on “front” vowels
Teaching English in EnglishSpring 2012
International GatewaysSAN JOSÉ STATE UNIVERSITY
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/
“Spelling” vs. /sownd/
The Vowels of General American English
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**
Important Terminology: “Tenseness”
The Vocal Tract
The “Front” Vowels
/iy/ /I/
The “Front” Vowels
/iy/ /I/
Leader
Seek
Eat
He’s
Reach
The “Front” Vowels
/iy/ /I/
Leader
Seek
Eat
He’s
Reach
Litter
Sick
It
His
Rich
The “Front” Vowels
/ey/ /ɛ/
The “Front” Vowels
/ey/ /ɛ/
Wait
Pain
Taste
Age
The “Front” Vowels
/ey/ /ɛ/
Wait
Pain
Taste
Age
Wet
Pen
Test
Edge
The “Front” Vowels
/æ/ /ɛ/
The “Front” Vowels
/æ/ /ɛ/
Bad
Ladder
Sat
Add
The “Front” Vowels
/æ/ /ɛ/
Bad
Ladder
Sat
Add
Bed
Letter
Set
Ed
“Phonetics: The Sounds of American English”◦ http://www.uiowa.edu/~acadtech/phonetics/english/fram
eset.html
The Sounds of English and the International Phonetic Alphabet (with sound files)◦ http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm
Minimal Pair Practice Games & Quizzes◦ http://www.manythings.org/pp/
Audacity: Sound recording software◦ http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Useful Websites
