CSDS101 - Distinctive features of back vowels and diphthongs

Describe the vertical & horizontal dimensions, lingual tenseness, and roundedness of the back vowel phonemes and diphthongs.

/u/

High-back

Tense

Rounded

Stress : n/a

/ʊ/

High-back

Lax

Rounded

Stress : n/a

/o/

Mid-back

Tense

Rounded

Stress : n/a

/ɔ/

Low-mid back

Lax

Rounded

Stress : n/a

/ɑ/

Low-back

Tense

Unrounded

Stress : n/a

/a͜ɪ/

Low front —> High front

/a͜ʊ/

Low front —> High back

/ɔ͜ɪ/

Midback —> High front

/e͜ɪ/

Mid-front —> High front

/o͜ʊ/

Mid-back —> High back