Phonetics And Phonology Questions
The process of vowel production involves the coordination of various articulatory organs, such as the vocal cords, tongue, lips, and jaw. When producing vowels, the vocal cords vibrate, creating a voiced sound. The position and shape of the tongue, along with the openness of the mouth, determine the specific vowel sound produced.
Vowels are classified based on three main criteria: height, backness, and rounding.
1. Height: Vowels can be classified as high, mid, or low, depending on the position of the tongue in the mouth. High vowels are produced with the tongue raised towards the roof of the mouth, while low vowels are produced with the tongue lowered. Mid vowels fall in between high and low vowels in terms of tongue position.
2. Backness: Vowels can also be classified as front, central, or back, based on the position of the highest point of the tongue. Front vowels are produced with the highest point of the tongue towards the front of the mouth, while back vowels are produced with the highest point towards the back. Central vowels are produced with the highest point of the tongue in the middle of the mouth.
3. Rounding: Vowels can be rounded or unrounded, depending on the shape of the lips. Rounded vowels are produced with rounded lips, while unrounded vowels are produced with unrounded lips.
By combining these three criteria, we can classify vowels into specific categories, such as high front unrounded vowels (e.g., /i/), low back rounded vowels (e.g., /ɒ/), or mid central unrounded vowels (e.g., /ə/).