English Long vowels
The first to be introduced here are the five long vowels; These are the vowels that tend to be longer than the short vowels in similar contexts. It is necessary to say “in similar contexts” because, as we shall see later, the length of all English vowel sounds varies very much according to their context (such as the type of sound that follows them) and the presence or absence of stress. . To remind you that these vowels tend to be long, the symbols consist of one vowel symbol plus a length mark made of two dots: Thus we have i:, ɜː, ɑː, o :,u:
We will now look at each of them these long vowels individually. (Peter Roach)
English Long Vowels: Understanding the Sounds and Rules
English has a total of 20 vowel sounds, which can be classified into two categories: long vowels and short vowels. Long vowels are vowel sounds that are pronounced for a relatively long period of time compared to their short vowel counterparts. In English, there are five long vowels: /i:/, /eɪ/, /ɔ:/, /aɪ/, and /u:/ . (Wells, JC 2008)
Long vowels play an important role in the English language. They can change the meaning of a word, and not being able to distinguish between long and short vowels can result in confusion and miscommunication. It is therefore important to understand the sounds of long vowels and how to pronounce them correctly.
/i:/ as in “feet” The long vowel /i:/ is pronounced with the tongue high and front in the mouth, and the lips spread. Examples of words with the long vowel /i:/ include “feet,” “sheep,” and “beet.” In these words, the long vowel is often represented by the letter “e” when it appears in the middle of a word, such as “meet” and “deep.”
/eɪ/
as in “day” The long vowel /eɪ/ is pronounced with the tongue in the front of the mouth and the lips stretched. Examples of words with the long vowel /eɪ/ include “day,” “rain,” and “eight.” In these words, the long vowel is often represented by the letters “ai” or “ay,” such as in “maid” and “hay.”
/ɔ:/ as in “thought” The long vowel /ɔ:/ is pronounced with the tongue in the back of the mouth and the lips rounded. Examples of words with the long vowel /ɔ:/ include “thought,” “bought,” and “walk.” In these words, the long vowel is often represented by the letters “au,” “aw,” or “ough,” such as in “caught,” “draw,” and “bought.”
/aɪ/
as in “light” The long vowel /aɪ/ is pronounced with the tongue in the front of the mouth and the lips stretched. Examples of words with the long vowel /aɪ/ include “light,” “bike,” and “height.” In these words, the long vowel is often represented by the letters “i” and “y,” such as in “sight” and “fly.”
/u:/
as in “moon” Finally, the long vowel /u:/ is pronounced with the tongue high and back in the mouth, and the lips rounded. Examples of words with the long vowel /u:/ include “boot,” “moon,” and “food.” In these words, the long vowel is often represented by the letters “oo,” such as in “root” and “soon.”
/ɜː/
is a long vowel in English that is pronounced with the tongue in a central, neutral position, similar to the vowel sound in the word “bird.” Examples of English words with this sound include “heard,” “learn,” and “fern.” The long vowel /ɜː/ is often represented in writing by the letter “er” or “ir,” as in “herd” and “fir.” It is important to note that the pronunciation of this sound can vary depending on dialect and context, and it may be pronounced slightly differently in different accents.
/ɑː/
is another long vowel in English, which is pronounced with the tongue low and back in the mouth, similar to the vowel sound in the word “car.” Examples of English words with this sound include “heart,” “start,” and “dark.” The long vowel /ɑː/ is often represented in writing by the letter “ar,” as in “car,” or by the letters “a” and “r” together, as in “hard.” Like /ɜː/, the pronunciation of this sound can also vary depending on dialect and context.
It is important to note that in some English accents, such as those spoken in some parts of the United Kingdom, the distinction between /ɜː/ and /ɑː/ may be less clear, and the two sounds may be merged or pronounced similarly. However, in standard English, there is a clear distinction between these two long vowel sounds.
Learning the pronunciation and spelling of long vowels, including /ɜː/ and /ɑː/, is important for clear and effective communication in English. Practicing pronunciation and paying attention to spelling patterns can help improve one’s English language skills and prevent confusion and miscommunication.
It is important to note that the pronunciation of long vowels can vary depending on regional accents and dialects. However, it is essential to aim for a clear and consistent pronunciation when speaking English, especially in a professional or academic context.
In addition to understanding the sounds of long vowels, it is also important to know the rules of spelling and pronunciation. For example, the letter “e” often represents a long vowel sound when it appears at the end of a word, such as in “like” and “hope.” Similarly, certain letter combinations, such as “ai,” “ay,” “au,” “aw,” and “ough,” are commonly used to represent long vowel sounds.
In conclusion , understanding the sounds and rules of English long vowels is essential for clear and effective communication in the English language. Practicing pronunciation and paying attention to spelling patterns can help improve one’s English language skills and prevent confusion and miscommunication.
How do long vowels produce?
Long vowels are an important part of the English language and are used in many words, such as “meet,” “light,” and “boat.” They are distinguished from short vowels by their longer duration, or the length of time that the sound is held.
To produce long vowels, the mouth and tongue are held in a specific position for a longer period of time than is required for producing short vowels. The position of the tongue, lips, and jaw is important in creating the different vowel sounds, and when producing long vowels, the position is held steady for a longer period of time than when producing short vowels.
For example, to produce the long vowel /iː/ in the word “see,” the mouth is held in a slightly smiling position with the tongue high and towards the front of the mouth, and the sound is held for a longer duration than the short vowel /ɪ/ in the word “sit,” where the tongue is in a slightly different position and the sound is not held for as long.
Another example is the long vowel /oʊ/ in the word “boat,” which is produced by holding the lips in a rounded shape with the tongue towards the back of the mouth. The sound is held for a longer duration than the short vowel /ɒ/ in the word “not,” where the lips and tongue are in a different position and the sound is not held for as long.
In addition to duration, long vowels can also be characterized by changes in pitch or tone, and changes in the shape or size of the oral cavity, such as when the mouth is slightly more open or closed. For example, the long vowel /aɪ/ in the word “like” starts with a lower pitch and rises in pitch towards the end of the sound, which gives it a distinct tonal quality.
Learning to produce long vowels accurately requires practice and attention to the position of the mouth, tongue, and lips. Listening to and imitating native speakers, as well as using resources such as pronunciation guides and instructional videos, can also be helpful in improving one’s ability to produce long vowels and other vowel sounds accurately in English.
In summary, long vowels are produced by holding the mouth and tongue in a specific position for a longer period of time than is required for producing short vowels. The position of the mouth and tongue, as well as changes in pitch or tone, are important in creating the different vowel sounds. With practice and attention to detail, anyone can improve their ability to produce long vowels and other vowel sounds accurately in English.