外教教你學(xué)英語音標(biāo) 元音發(fā)音注意事項

Now, we're gonna talk a little bit about vowel sounds...

Pamela Prather

...and this information is applicable to every vowel sound you'll work with.

Pamela Prather

A vowel sound is an uninterrupted stream of air or breath, in which the articulators do not move.

Pamela Prather

That means there's no movement once you start the sound.

Pamela Prather

And here's an example.

Pamela Prather

/i/, /?/, /?/.

Pamela Prather

Notice in each of those three voicings of /i/, /?/, and /?/,...

Pamela Prather

...there was no movement of my mouth once the sound started.

Pamela Prather

Now, there is one kind of vowel sound where there is movement and those are called diphthongs.

Pamela Prather

A diphthong is when there's two vowel sounds that come together and the second sound is very quick and short.

Pamela Prather

So, here are the examples of diphthongs in American English.

Pamela Prather

/e?/, /a?/, /a?/, /??/, /o?/.

Pamela Prather

Notice that there is a flow of air, but a slight movement, and no movement of my tongue.

Pamela Prather

For all of your vowel sounds, your tongue is relaxed and slightly touching the back of your lower front teeth.

Pamela Prather

Keep this information in mind when you're practicing your individual vowel sounds.

Pamela Prather

Good luck!