Vowel Sounds

Vowel Sounds

First, to recognize vowel sounds we have to know that there are five ways to classify a vowel sound. That is called the vowel inventory. 

1. Tongue strength, this is the area where you place your tongue. And those places can be: front(as in /I /, middle (as in/ə/), back (as in /ɒ/).

2. Tongue position, this is the place where the sound is produced. That places can be: up(as in /iy/), middle(as in/ey/), low(as in /a/).

3. Shape of the lips, here you can notice how your lips are moved, this ways can be: spread( as in /ey/), neutral(as in /ə/), rounded(as in /ɔ:/)

4.Vowel quality, this means if the vowel sound has one symbol or two, if it has one symbol it is simple (as in /ɒ/), and if it has two symbols it is complex as in/u:/).

5. Vowel length, this means the duration of the pronunciation. This can be lengthened (as in /iy/) and

 unlengthened(as in /I/) .

Note: all vowels are voiced(have vibration)

http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm

http://faculty.washington.edu/dillon/PhonResources/newstart.html