Distinctive Features of Vowel Sounds:
Vowel sounds are characterized by a few key features that differentiate them from consonants. Here's a breakdown:
1. Airflow:
* Unimpeded: Unlike consonants, vowels are produced with unimpeded airflow from the lungs through the mouth. There's no obstruction or constriction.
2. Place of Articulation:
* Open vocal tract: Vowels are formed with a relatively open vocal tract. The tongue and lips do not create significant obstacles to the airflow.
* Varying tongue position: The position of the tongue in the mouth determines the specific vowel sound. This includes:
* Vertical positioning: How high or low the tongue is in the mouth (high vowels like /i/ vs. low vowels like /a/).
* Horizontal positioning: How far forward or back the tongue is (front vowels like /i/ vs. back vowels like /u/).
3. Manner of Articulation:
* No significant constriction: The air flows freely through the mouth with no significant narrowing or closure.
4. Vocal Fold Vibration:
* Always voiced: Vowels are always voiced, meaning the vocal cords vibrate during their production.
5. Acoustic Properties:
* Varying formants: The shape of the vocal tract influences the resonant frequencies of the sound waves, resulting in different formant frequencies (peaks in the sound spectrum) for each vowel. These formant frequencies are a key element in vowel recognition.
* Relatively steady sound: Vowels are typically produced with a relatively constant acoustic pattern, unlike consonants which often have more dynamic changes in their acoustic properties.
6. Duration:
* Longer than consonants: Vowels tend to be longer in duration than consonants, especially in stressed syllables.
7. Function in Language:
* Carry the majority of meaning: Vowels are central to speech and language, carrying the bulk of the meaning of a word.
* Can be modified for intonation: The height and duration of vowels can be manipulated to create different intonation patterns, conveying different meanings and emotions.
Remember: These features are interconnected and contribute to the overall acoustic and articulatory characteristics of vowel sounds, making them distinct from consonants.