English Phonetics: A Comprehensive Guide to Vowels, Consonants, and Suprasegmentals
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English Phonetics: A Comprehensive Guide
Vowels
Vowels are defined as speech sounds produced with a relatively open vocal tract, allowing air to flow freely through the mouth. They are characterized by 12 features:
- Direction of the air
- Height of the tongue: high, low, and mid vowels
- Part of the tongue raised: front, central, or back
- Position of the lips: rounded or spread
- Length: short or long
Vowels can be classified as either monophthongs or diphthongs. Monophthongs are single vowel sounds, while diphthongs are combinations of two vowel sounds that glide together.
Consonants
Consonants are defined as speech sounds produced with a constriction or closure in the vocal tract, obstructing the flow of air. They are characterized by 24 features:
- Vocal cords: