Page 221 - DENG504_LINGUISTICS

Unit 16: Varieties of English Cardinal Vowel System

VOWELS Notes

Front Central Back
Close i y i u m u
I Y 
Close-mid e r b › p o
c
Open-mid ε œ ε i v c
Õ X
Open a Œ α α

Where symbols appear in pairs, the one to the right represents a rounded vowel.
Low central vowels are the most common in the world’s languages. Because no specific IPA symbol
is provided for their transcription, one of those with ‘nearby’ values must be used to represent them
- any of [a], [ α ] or [ X ] may be used.
The usual practice is to use [a] for the low central vowel and symbolize a low front unrounded vowel
as [ a ] using the ‘fronting’ diacritic if the distinction is needed.
+
[ æ ] can also be used for the low front vowel where necessary.
VOWELS

Front Central Back
Close i y i u m u
I Y 
Close-mid e r b › p o
c
Open-mid ε œ ε i v c
Õ X
Open a Œ a α
+ α
Where symbols appear in pairs, the one to the right represents a rounded vowel.
Front vowels VOWELS

i High front unrounded
y High front rounded
Front Central Back
I Lowered high front unrounded
Close i y i u m u
Y Lowered high front rounded I Y 
Close-mid e r b › p o
e Higher mid front unrounded c
φ Higher mid front rounded Open-mid ε œ ε i v c
Õ X
ε Lower mid front unrounded Open a + Œ a α α
œ Lower mid front rounded
œ Raised low front unrounded Where symbols appear in pairs, the one to the right
a Low front unrounded represents rounded vowel.
(IPA value of symbol)
ΠLow front rounded
Recommended usage
a Low front unrounded
+
a Low central unrounded

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