CSDS 101 - Intro to Vowels

Vowels form what within words?

• the nucleus

What does the vocal tract look like when produced?

• the vocal tract is mostly unobstructed

How does change in the vocal production of vowels arise?

• this happens through the change in the shape of the vocal tract (involves the pharynx and the oral cavity)

The vocal tract is shaped by what?

• lingual placement and tenseness

• labial rounding

ALL vowels are

VOICED

How are diphthongs described

• they are described by their vocalic components.

Height

• How high or low the tongue is

  • vowels described as high or low

Backness

• how far back or front the tongue is

  • vowels considered front, back, or mid

Roundness

• are the lips rounded or unrounded

In terms of vowels what are the MVP -

• Manner - labial rounding

  • rounded vs. unrounded

  • r-coloring

• Voice - ALL VOICED

• Place - Vertical (height) Horizontal (front, mid, back)

Tense

• vowel production requiring muscular tension at the root of the tongue

Lax

• vowels that require less muscular tension at the roof of the tongue

Point Vowels

• vowels produced with the tongue placed as far as possible from its position of rest

  • most significant differences - vertical and horizontal dimensions

  • also referred to as cardinal vowels

  • /i, u, a, æ/

r-colored vowels

• these are vowels that include /ɹ/-like qualities

• this would include vowels like

  • /ɚ, ɝ/