Vowels = Part A (Readings)

What are vowels?

Definition: vowels have very free airflow and always appear at the center of a syllable, and they are almost always voiced.

Vowels are speech sounds that travel very freely throughout the vocal tract as opposed to consonants.

2 Defining Characteristics of vowels

1. Free airflow

2. Positioned at the center of syllables.

How do vowels influence syllables?

Vowels are almost always in the nucleus of the syllable, and consonants are on the periphery.

Vowels and voicing

Across vowel systems, DISTINCTIVE vowels are almost always VOICED

Distinctive voiceless vowels are VERY rare

A note on “surface” voiceless vowels

• May sometimes hear a voiceless vowel on the surface

• Example: predictable devoicing between voiceless consonants in Canadian French

NOTE: shift is automatic and predictable → NO change in meaning

What is a semi-vowel?

A semi-vowel is a speech sound like /w/ or /j/ that is produced like a vowel but functions as a consonant in syllables.

4 Factors for vowel articulation

1. Tongue height

2. Tongue backness

3. Lip rounding.

4. Tense vs Lax

In languages other than English, these 4 factors are also considered

1. Long vs. short vowels

2. Nasal vs. non-nasal vowels

3. Contrasts based on special vocal fold states

4. Tense vs. lax contrasts

What distinguishes high vowels?

(aka close vowel)

High vowels, like /i/, are produced by raising the tongue very high - - almost creating an obstruction

What distinguishes low vowels?

Low vowels, like /a/, Drop your tongue very low - so that space in mouth is very open

Front vowels

are produced with the highest part of the tongue positioned towards the front of the mouth. Examples include /i/ and /e/.

Back vowels

are produced with the highest part of the tongue positioned towards the back of the mouth. Examples include /u/ and /o/.

Rounded vs unrounded vowels /i/ and /u/

With /i/, you have to spread your lips apart. With /u/, you have to bring your lips together.

Is lip rounding distinctive in English?

No

What are rounded vowels in English?

The rounded vowels are /u/, /o/, and /ʊ/.

What are unrounded vowels in English?

The unrounded vowels are /i/, /e/, and /ɪ/.

What are English tense vowels?

The tense vowels are /i/, /e/, and /u/.

What are English lax vowels?

The lax vowels are /ɪ/, /ɛ/, and /ʊ/.

Long vs. short vowels

For example, in certain languages saying /ip/ might mean one thing, where-as /i:p/, where the two dots mark that the vowel is pronounced with significantly longer duration, might mean something completely different

Arabic, Japanese, Finnish, Old English

Nasal vs. non-nasal vowels

Some languages distinguish vowels based on nasality - release air through nose - use wavy line on top -  /ip/ vs. / ĩ /

French and Navajo

Contrasts based on vocal fold states

Some languages distinguish vowels by using breathy and creaky voice - holding vocal folds

Tense vs. Lax vowel contrasts

For example, English distinguishes between the tense vowel /i/ and the lax vowel /ɪ/ - this is a vowel quality

Test in English: English vowels are “tense” if they can end a word or syllable; “lax” vowels only occur in syllables that end in consonants

Does vowel nasalization ever occur in English

Yes - but only predictably “on the surface”) - when between 2 nasal consonant - “mean” - /mĩn/ 

Can indicate on narrow transcription

In English, why do some vowels have length differences “on the surface”? 3 reasons

1. All vowels automatically come out shorter before voiceless consonants - “pick” is longer than “pig”

2. In English system, some vowels are just longer than others - /i/ is inherently longer than /ɪ/

3. Stress - vowels in stressed syllables are longer

What is a diphthong?

Involves movement during articulation

Vowels were you start with one shape of your mouth, and then move to another vowel in the process of saying it

Alternative transcript for diphthongs

Both are correct because tongue positions are same for /ɪ/ and /j/ and /ʊ/ and /w/

/aɪ/ vs. /aj/

/aʊ/ vs. /aw/