Vowels
Vowels
Vowels (/ˈvaʊ.əl/) are a group of sounds used in various languages, including English. They are one of the two primary types of speech sounds, the other being consonants.
Etymology
The term "vowel" comes from the Latin word vocalis, meaning "vocal". In English, it was first used in the 14th century.
Definition
In phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language, pronounced with an open vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure at any point above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, which are characterized by a constriction or closure at one or more points along the vocal tract.
Types of Vowels
There are several types of vowels in English, including:
- Monophthongs: These are simple, or "pure," vowels with a single perceived auditory quality.
- Diphthongs: These are complex vowels composed of a sequence of two different configurations of the vocal tract.
- Triphthongs: These are complex vowels composed of a sequence of three different configurations of the vocal tract.
Related Terms
- Phonetics: The study of the physical sounds of human speech.
- Phonology: The study of the way sounds function within a particular language or languages.
- Syllable: A unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vowels
- Wikipedia's article - Vowels
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