Central Vowels in English

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to central vowels in English.

Central Vowels

Vowels produced with the tongue body in the center of the mouth.

/ɝ/

A mid central tense rounded vowel often described as r-colored.

/ɚ/

A mid central lax rounded vowel, the unstressed counterpart of /ɝ/.

/ʌ/

A low-mid back-central lax unrounded vowel, characterized by an open jaw position.

Schwa

The vowel sound /ə/, which is a mid central lax unrounded vowel, usually unstressed.

Rhotacized

A term describing vowels that are modified with an 'r' coloring, such as /ɝ/.

Diphthongs

Complex vowels that begin with one vowel sound and glide into another within the same syllable.

Tense Vowels

Vowels produced with a greater tension, often longer in duration.

Lax Vowels

Vowels produced with less tension, often shorter and more relaxed.

Velopharynx

The space behind the mouth that connects to the nasal cavity, typically closed during vowel production.