Vowels 2LIN 3201

Some Some reminders reminders

about about vowels…vowels…

1. Vowels are described in 1. Vowels are described in three basic parameters:three basic parameters:

Tongue height: [i] vs. [a] (high vs. low /close vs. open)

Tongue backness: [i] vs. [u] (front vs. back)

Lip rounding: [i] vs. [y] (rounded vs. unrounded)

2. Vowels, as syllable nuclei, 2. Vowels, as syllable nuclei, may occur alone in the nucleus may occur alone in the nucleus

or with other soundsor with other sounds Pure vowels – a single vowel that maintains

tongue positioning and lip rounding state during entire production of the vowel; [i] or [o]

Glided vowels – a combination of a vowel and another vowel or an approximant in the same syllable; tongue and lip position “glides” from production of sound a to sound b; [iy] or [ow]

Also known as diphthongsPerceived as being a single unit

3. Vowels are organized into 3. Vowels are organized into a reference system known as a reference system known as

Cardinal Vowels (CVs)Cardinal Vowels (CVs)Cardinal vowels are a system of universal

reference vowelsThey don’t necessarily coincide with vowels of

any one language (Especially not English!)

Considered to be auditorily equidistant steps, so your tongue doesn’t necessarily move in equidistant steps

They are all peripheral (occurring at the outermost boundaries of the vowel system) and pure

Primary CVsPrimary CVs

From 1-2-3-4 are equidistant steps; steps 5-8 continue with increasing roundness

Secondary CVsSecondary CVs

Version of Primary CVs with opposite rounding; because rounding state affects acoustics, steps are not equidistant like they are with primary CVs

4. Some languages use an 4. Some languages use an additional features to additional features to

describe vowel qualitiesdescribe vowel qualities Sometimes called “tense” vs. “lax” vowels, where

tense = tightened tongue musculature

Used to distinguish vowels in English [i] vs. [I]

Be cautious, this terminology is controversial

Some languages, like Akan or Twi, do have a vowel distinction in pharynx width

ATR – Advanced Tongue Root – is a better description than tense or lax (+ATR or –ATR) Involves lowering the larynx or advancing the root of the

tongue so that the pharyngeal cavity is enlarged

5. There are additional 5. There are additional modifications affecting modifications affecting

vowelsvowels Nasalization – send air through nasal

cavity during production of vowel Voicelessness – devoice vowel Length – vowel increase in length Diphthongs – combine with another vowel

(or approximant) in same syllable Rhotacization – adding “r-coloring” to vowel, as

in American English pronunciation of bird Gliding in general – adding vowel or approximant

in the same syllable before producing the primary vowel (on-glide) or after (off-glide)

Samples of vowel Samples of vowel modificationmodification

KNOW the diacritics for voicelessness, nasalazation and length!KNOW the diacritics for voicelessness, nasalazation and length!

IPA Vowel Chart for LIN 3201IPA Vowel Chart for LIN 3201

Courtesy of Dr. Caroline Wiltshire