Lecture No. 4
Title: Vowels
Lecturer: Asst. Prof. Dr. AbdAli Nayif Hasan
Vowels are the sounds that are produced without obstruction to the air flow.
Description of vowels
Vowels can be described according to the following criteria:
1. The height of the tongue: how close the tongue is to the palate (the roof of the mouth). The following positions can be identified:
a. close b. half – close c .half – open d. open
2. The part of the tongue which raised towards the palate. It may be:
a. the front part b. the central part c. the back part
3. The position (shape of lips): a. rounded b. unrounded
4. Length: a. long b. short
1. /i:/ long, close, front, unrounded
2. /i/ short, above half – close, front, unrounded
3. /e/ short, between half –close and half – open, front, unrounded
4. /?/ short, above open, front, unrounded
5. /a:/ long, open, back, unrounded
6. /o/ short, open, back, rounded
7. /o:/ long, between half –close and half –open, back, rounded
8. /u/ short, above half –close, back, rounded
9. /u:/ long, close, back, rounded
10. /?/ short, below the half – open, central, unrounded
11. / ?:/ long, between half – close and half – open, central, unrounded
12. /?/ short, between half – close and half – open, central, unrounded