Express the classification of English vowel, give examples for illustration
Definition: Vowel sounds are the sounds in the production of which there is no obstruction to the air-flow so that the air can get out freely
• There are 12 simple vowels: / ɪ, iː, ə, ɜː, ʌ, ɑː ɔ, ɔː, ʊ, uː, e, æ /
• Classification: According to
a. Tongue height:
– close vowels: (the tongue is higher than its rest position): /ɪ, iː, ʊ, uː /
– mid vowels : the tongue is in its rest position : ə, ɜː, e, ɔː
– open vowels: The tongue is lower than its rest position: æ, ʌ, ɑː ɔ
b. Tongue shape:
– Front: when the front part of the tongue is higher: ɪ, iː, e, æ
– Central: ə, ɜː, ʌ.
– Back: when back part of the tongue is higher, uː, ɔ, ɔː, ɑː
c. Lip rounding:
– Rounded: ɔ, ɔː, ʊ, uː
– Spread: ɪ, iː, e, æ
– Neutral: ə, ɜː, ʌ, ɑː
d. Length of production:
– Long vowels: iː, uː, ɔː, ɜː, ɑː
– Short vowels: ɪ, e, æ, ʊ, ɔ, ə, ʌ ./.