Vowels

Question 1

Vowel

Answer 1

A sound produced without a close obstruction of the vocal tract and which forms the centre of a syllable

Question 2

Vowel dispersion principle

Answer 2

The tendency for vowel systems to consist of qualities that are widely and evenly dispersed in perceptual space

Question 3

Vowel system

Answer 3

The set of contrastive vowel qualities found in a single language

Question 4

Resonant frequency

Answer 4

The frequency at which an acoustic system vibrates when excited by input energy

Question 5

A peak in the spectrum of a speech sound such as a vowel

Answer 5

Formant

Question 6

Formant frequency

Answer 6

The frequency at which a peak in energy occurs in the spectrum of a speech sound

Question 7

vowel location

Answer 7

Vowels don’t have a ‘place’ as consonants do. The location refers to which part of the tongue is in the highest position. Vowels may be front, central or back.

Question 8

6 ways in which vowel sounds can differentiate

Answer 8

1) location
2) rounding
3) height
4) length
5) nasalization
6) monothong/dipthong