Front Vowels

Flashcards covering the characteristics and examples of various English and Spanish vowel sounds.

/i/

As in 'beet

A 'high front tense unrounded vowel, produced with the tongue body in a high front position.

/ɪ/

As in 'bit'

high-mid front lax unrounded vowel, characterized by a less wide pharynx compared to /i/.

/e/

As in 'bait'

A mid front tense unrounded vowel, often diphthongized to /eɪ/ in standard American speech.

/ɛ/

As in 'bet'

A low (-mid) front lax unrounded vowel with the tongue body positioned low and front.

/æ/

As in 'bat'

A low front lax unrounded vowel, sometimes viewed as tense due to its longer duration.

/u/

As in 'boot'
A high back tense rounded vowel, produced with the tongue high and back in the mouth.

/ʊ/

As in 'book'.

A high back lax rounded vowel, articulated with the tongue in a high back position.

/o/

As in ‘boat’

A mid back tense rounded vowel, produced with the tongue positioned mid-high and back in the mouth.

ɔ/

As in ‘horse'
A diphthong that begins with a mid back tense rounded vowel and glides upwards to a high back rounded vowel.

/a/

As in ‘long’

A low front unrounded vowel, articulated with the tongue in a low front position.