The Vowel Chart - The 12 Monophthongs in British English | Pronunciation Masterclass

Summary

This video explores the 12 single vowel sounds (monophthongs) in British English, detailing their production using the vocal cords and their placement on a trapezium-shaped vowel chart. It explains the horizontal axis (front, central, back) and vertical axis (close, open) to show tongue and mouth positions for each sound. Key vowels like the schwa, long /iː/, /ɑː/, and short /e/ are highlighted, with practical examples using words starting with 'f' to help learners associate sounds with positions. Viewers are guided to observe mouth shapes, tongue height, and sound differences, making pronunciation easier to understand and practice.

Takeaways

• 😀 English has 12 single vowel sounds (monophthongs), all of which are voiced.
• 😀 The vowel sounds can be visualized on a trapezium-shaped chart with horizontal and vertical axes.
• 😀 The horizontal axis of the chart shows where the sound is produced in the mouth: front, central, or back.
• 😀 The vertical axis indicates tongue height and mouth openness: close, mid, or open.
• 😀 The schwa sound (ə) is the central vowel, produced with a relaxed, short, neutral mouth position.
• 😀 Front vowels like long 'iː' and short 'ɪ' are produced with the tongue high and mouth relatively closed.
• 😀 Back vowels like 'uː', 'ʊ', 'ɔː', 'ɑː' are produced further back in the mouth, with variations in tongue height and mouth openness.
• 😀 Open vowels, such as 'æ' and 'ɑː', involve lowering the tongue and opening the mouth wide.
• 😀 Using example words starting with 'f' (e.g., feet, fit, fed, fat, food, foot) helps illustrate the vowel sounds in context.
• 😀 Learners are encouraged to repeat sounds, observe tongue and lip positions, and compare front/back and close/open vowels to improve pronunciation.
• 😀 Long and short vowel contrasts can be understood through both tongue position and mouth openness.
• 😀 Visual aids like the trapezium chart make it easier to remember and practice the placement of each vowel sound.

Q & A

What are monophthongs in English pronunciation?

Monophthongs are single vowel sounds in English. They are voiced, meaning they use the vocal cords to produce sound, and there are 12 of them in British English.

How is the vowel chart organized?

The vowel chart is organized with a horizontal axis showing tongue position (front, central, back) and a vertical axis showing tongue height and mouth openness (close, close-mid, open-mid, open).

What does the horizontal axis of the vowel chart represent?

The horizontal axis represents where in the mouth the vowel is produced: left for front vowels, right for back vowels, and the center for central vowels.

What does the vertical axis of the vowel chart indicate?

The vertical axis shows the height of the tongue and mouth openness: 'close' means the tongue is raised and the mouth is less open, while 'open' means the tongue is lowered and the mouth is wider open.

What is the schwa sound and where is it located on the chart?

The schwa sound (ə) is a short, relaxed central vowel. It is located in the middle of the vowel chart and is easy to produce by relaxing all muscles in the mouth.

How do front and back vowels differ in pronunciation?

Front vowels are produced at the front of the mouth with the tongue raised or mid-level, while back vowels are produced towards the back of the mouth or throat, often with a lower tongue position and more open mouth.

What are some examples of front vowel sounds and their words?

Examples of front vowels include: long i: as in 'feet', short ɪ as in 'fit', short e as in 'fed', and open æ as in 'fat'.

What are some examples of back vowel sounds and their words?

Examples of back vowels include: long u: as in 'food', short ʊ as in 'put', short ɒ as in 'fox', open ɑ as in 'far', and open-mid ɔ as in 'for'.

Why is the sound 'ah' often used at the dentist or doctor?

The 'ah' sound is a back open vowel produced with a wide-open mouth and low tongue. It allows the dentist or doctor to get a clear view of the mouth and throat.

How can mirrors help with learning vowel pronunciation?

Mirrors help learners observe the shape of their lips and the position of their tongue when producing different vowel sounds, improving awareness and accuracy in pronunciation.

What is the difference between long and short vowels on the chart?

Long vowels are typically held for a longer duration and are often indicated with a colon (:) in phonemic transcription, while short vowels are quicker. The chart shows both types in their respective positions based on tongue height and mouth openness.