Vowels

A vowel is a sound during which articulation there is not obstruction in the vocal tract. We will classify vowels according to two criteria:

1.
According to the part of the tongue which is raised we have:

FRONT VOWELS: Those during which articulation the front of the tongue is raised

CENTRAL VOWELS: Those during which articulation the tongue is in a relaxed position .

BACK VOWELS: Those during which articulation the back of the tongue is raised.



2.
According to the height of the tongue or jaw we have:

CLOSE VOWELS:Those pronounced with the tongue very close to the palate and the jaw very high.

OPEN VOWELS:Those pronounced with the tongue and the jaw very low.

HALF-CLOSE VOWELS and HALF-OPEN VOWELS are pronounced with the tongue and jaw occupying an intermediate position between the two extreme categories already mentioned.