What alternative term is commonly used for close vowels, particularly in American English linguistics?

Close vowels are also frequently referred to as "high vowels," a term often used in the Americanist phonetic tradition. This name highlights the elevated position of the tongue during the articulation of these sounds.

According to the International Phonetic Association, what is the preferred terminology for vowels produced with the tongue high in the mouth?

The International Phonetic Association (IPA) recommends the term "close vowel" for sounds where the tongue is positioned very near the roof of the mouth. This terminology is favored over "high vowel" by the IPA.

How is the term "high vowel" used in the phonology of a specific language?

In the phonology of a particular language, a vowel is considered "high" if its tongue position is closer to the roof of the mouth than that of a mid vowel. This classification can encompass close-mid, near-close, and truly close vowels.

What is the primary distinction between a close vowel and a consonant sound?

The key difference lies in the degree of constriction in the vocal tract. Close vowels involve the tongue being close to the roof of the mouth but without enough constriction to produce a consonant sound, whereas a consonant would involve a significant enough constriction to impede airflow.

Which six close vowels are represented by dedicated symbols in the International Phonetic Alphabet?

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) assigns dedicated symbols to six close vowels: the close front unrounded vowel ([i]), the close front compressed vowel ([y]), the close central unrounded vowel ([ɨ]), the close central protruded vowel ([0289]), the close back unrounded vowel ([ɯ]), and the close back rounded vowel ([u]).

What IPA symbol represents the close front unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close front unrounded vowel is [i]. This sound is common in languages like English (as in "see").

What IPA symbol is used for the close front rounded vowel, also known as the close front compressed vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close front rounded vowel, or close front compressed vowel, is [y]. This sound is found in languages such as French and German.

What is the IPA symbol for the close central unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close central unrounded vowel is [ɨ]. This sound is present in languages like Russian and Polish.

What IPA symbol represents the close central protruded vowel as listed in the source text?

The source text lists [0289] as the IPA symbol for the close central protruded vowel. This symbol denotes a vowel produced with the tongue high and central in the mouth, with the lips rounded.

What IPA symbol denotes the close back unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close back unrounded vowel is [ɯ]. This sound is found in languages like Korean and Vietnamese.

What IPA symbol represents the close back rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close back rounded vowel is [u]. This is a very common vowel sound, as heard in English words like "food."

What ambiguity exists in IPA symbols for rounded vowels regarding their articulation?

For rounded vowels, IPA symbols can be ambiguous as to whether the lip rounding involves protrusion or compression. However, the general tendency in transcribing world languages is that rounded vowels are typically protruded.

Can close vowels be represented in the IPA even if they don't have dedicated symbols?

Yes, the IPA allows for the representation of close vowels that do not have dedicated symbols. This is often achieved by using diacritics to modify existing symbols or by using specific, less common symbols.

What are some examples of close vowels that lack dedicated symbols in the IPA, as mentioned in the text?

The text mentions several close vowels without dedicated symbols, including the close front protruded vowel ([yͿ]), the close central compressed vowel ([ ÿ ] or [024f]), and the close back compressed vowel ([ ɯᵝ ]).

How can variations in the closeness or rounding of vowels be indicated using IPA diacritics?

Other close vowels can be indicated using diacritics that denote relative articulation. For example, a close near-front unrounded vowel might be represented with a diacritic like [i̠] or [ɪ̝].

What are the main categories of vowel articulation based on tongue position, as shown in the IPA vowel chart?

The IPA vowel chart categorizes vowels based on tongue position into three main types: Front, Central, and Back vowels. These categories describe where in the mouth the highest point of the tongue is located.

What are the different vowel height classifications presented in the IPA vowel chart?

The IPA vowel chart classifies vowels by height into several categories: Close (or High), Near-close, Close-mid, Mid, Open-mid, Near-open, and Open. These distinctions relate to how high or low the tongue is in the mouth.

What does the legend in the IPA vowel chart explain regarding vowel sounds?

The legend in the IPA vowel chart clarifies the distinction between unrounded and rounded vowels. It uses a bullet point symbol (•) to indicate rounded vowels, differentiating them from unrounded vowels.

According to the IPA vowel chart, what is the symbol for the close back rounded vowel?

The IPA vowel chart indicates that the symbol for the close back rounded vowel is [u]. This is a common vowel sound found in many languages, including English.

What IPA symbol is used for the close front rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close front rounded vowel, also known as the close front compressed vowel, is [y]. This sound is characteristic of languages like French.

What IPA symbol represents the close central unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close central unrounded vowel is [ɨ]. This sound is found in languages such as Russian.

What IPA symbol represents the close front unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close front unrounded vowel is [i]. This is a very common vowel sound, as heard in English words like "meet."

What IPA symbol represents the close back unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close back unrounded vowel is [ɯ]. This sound is present in languages like Korean.

What IPA symbols are used for the Near-close vowel height category according to the provided chart and text?

The IPA vowel chart and text identify three Near-close vowels: the near-close front unrounded vowel ([026a]), the near-close front rounded vowel ([028f]), and the near-close near-back rounded vowel ([028a]). These sounds are produced with the tongue slightly lower than for close vowels.

What IPA symbols are listed for the "Close-mid" vowel height category?

The IPA lists several Close-mid vowels: close-mid front unrounded ([e]), close-mid front rounded ([ø]), close-mid central unrounded ([ɘ]), close-mid central rounded ([ɵ]), close-mid back unrounded ([ɤ]), and close-mid back rounded ([o]).

What IPA symbols are listed for the "Mid" vowel height category?

The IPA lists symbols for the Mid vowel height category: Mid front unrounded ([e̞]), Mid front rounded ([ø̞]), and Mid back rounded ([o̞]). The mid central vowel is represented by [ə].

What IPA symbols are listed for the "Open-mid" vowel height category?

The IPA lists symbols for the Open-mid vowel height category: Open-mid front unrounded ([ɛ]), Open-mid front rounded ([œ]), Open-mid central unrounded ([ɜ]), Open-mid central rounded ([ɞ]), Open-mid back unrounded ([ʌ]), and Open-mid back rounded ([ɔ]).

What IPA symbols are listed for the "Near-open" vowel height category?

The IPA lists symbols for the Near-open vowel height category: Near-open front unrounded ([æ]) and Near-open central vowel ([ɐ]).

What IPA symbols are listed for the "Open" vowel height category?

The IPA lists symbols for the Open vowel height category: Open front unrounded ([a]), Open front rounded ([ɶ]), Open central unrounded ([ä]), Open back unrounded ([ɑ]), and Open back rounded ([ɒ]).

What is the purpose of the IPA chart that displays vowel sounds?

The IPA vowel chart serves as a visual representation of the vowel sounds used in languages worldwide, organized by parameters like tongue height, tongue backness, and lip rounding. It helps in understanding and classifying vowel phonemes.

What does the term "compressed" imply about lip shape for rounded vowels?

"Compressed" lip rounding, as seen in vowels like [y], involves drawing the corners of the lips inward and slightly forward, creating a narrower aperture than simple protrusion. This is a specific type of lip configuration for rounded vowels.

What does the term "protruded" imply about lip shape for rounded vowels?

"Protruded" lip rounding involves pushing the lips forward and outward, creating a rounded opening. This is a common characteristic of many rounded vowels, such as [u].

What is the relationship between the IPA symbols for close vowels and their phonetic descriptions?

Each dedicated IPA symbol for a close vowel corresponds to a specific combination of tongue height (close), tongue backness (front, central, or back), and lip rounding (unrounded or rounded/protruded). For example, [i] is close, front, and unrounded.

What is the IPA symbol for the open-mid front rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the open-mid front rounded vowel is [œ]. This sound is found in languages like French.

What is the IPA symbol for the open-mid back rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the open-mid back rounded vowel is [ɔ]. This sound is common in English, as in the word "caught."

What is the IPA symbol for the mid central vowel?

The IPA symbol for the mid central vowel is [ə], often referred to as the schwa. It is the vowel sound in the unstressed syllable of words like "about."

What is the IPA symbol for the near-open front unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the near-open front unrounded vowel is [æ]. This sound is found in English, as in the word "cat."

What is the IPA symbol for the open front unrounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the open front unrounded vowel is [a]. This sound is common in languages like Spanish.

What is the IPA symbol for the open back rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the open back rounded vowel is [ɒ]. This sound is found in some dialects of English, as in the word "lot."

What is the IPA symbol for the close-mid front rounded vowel?

The IPA symbol for the close-mid front rounded vowel is [ø]. This sound is found in languages like French and German.

What information is provided in the "References" section of the article?

The "References" section lists the sources from which the information in the article was drawn. It includes citations for definitions and terminology, such as a reference from Oxford University Press and a book on linguistic anthropology.

What is the purpose of the "See also" section in the article?

The "See also" section typically lists related topics or concepts that might be of interest to the reader. In this case, it links to "Open vowel," which is the opposite end of the vowel height spectrum.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Close-mid central unrounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the close-mid central unrounded vowel is [ɘ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a central, mid-high position without lip rounding.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Close-mid central rounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the close-mid central rounded vowel is [ɵ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a central, mid-high position with rounded lips.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Open-mid central unrounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the open-mid central unrounded vowel is [ɜ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a central, mid-low position without lip rounding.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Open-mid central rounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the open-mid central rounded vowel is [ɞ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a central, mid-low position with rounded lips.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Near-open central vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the near-open central vowel is [ɐ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a central, low-mid position.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Open central unrounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the open central unrounded vowel is [ä]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a low, central position without lip rounding.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Close back unrounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the close back unrounded vowel is [ɯ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a high, back position without lip rounding.

What does the IPA chart indicate for the "Close-mid back unrounded vowel"?

The IPA chart indicates that the symbol for the close-mid back unrounded vowel is [ɤ]. This sound is produced with the tongue in a mid-high, back position without lip rounding.

Close Vowel Wiki: Phonetic Frontiers: Understanding Close Vowels

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Defining Close Vowels

Tongue Position

A close vowel, also known as a high vowel in Americanist terminology, is a vowel sound produced with the tongue positioned as close as possible to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction that would classify it as a consonant.^[1] This high tongue position is the defining characteristic of this vowel class.

Terminology

The term "close" is recommended by the International Phonetic Association (IPA). The alternative term "high" refers to the elevated position of the tongue in the mouth during articulation.^[2] Phonologically, a high vowel can encompass any vowel that is more close than a mid vowel, including close-mid and near-close vowels.

IPA Representation

Standard Symbols

The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) designates specific symbols for the most common close vowels. These are crucial for accurately transcribing spoken language.

The six primary close vowels with dedicated IPA symbols are:

Close front unrounded vowel: [i]
Close front rounded vowel: [y]
Close central unrounded vowel: [\u0268]
Close central rounded vowel: [\u0289]
Close back unrounded vowel: [\u026f]
Close back rounded vowel: [u]

Note that vowel rounding can be achieved through protrusion or compression, and IPA transcriptions often reflect this distinction.

Additional Notations

Beyond the core symbols, the IPA allows for diacritics to indicate finer phonetic distinctions. For close vowels, these can specify degrees of rounding or centrality.

Other close vowels or variations can be represented using diacritics or specific, less common symbols:

Close front protruded vowel: [\u0289\u031f] (often transcribed as y<0x337>)
Close central compressed vowel: [\u00ff] (or [\u024f])
Close back compressed vowel: [\u026f\u1d5d] (or u<0x34d>)

Additionally, diacritics indicating relative articulation, such as [\u026a\u031d] for a close-near-front unrounded vowel, provide further precision.

The IPA Vowel Quadrilateral

Visualizing Vowel Space

The International Phonetic Alphabet utilizes a vowel quadrilateral to visually represent the tongue positions for vowel sounds. Close vowels occupy the upper region of this chart, indicating the highest tongue positions.

The chart categorizes vowels based on tongue height (close, mid, open) and tongue backness (front, central, back), along with rounding (rounded, unrounded).

While a visual representation is most effective, the key takeaway is that close vowels are found at the apex of this phonetic space.

Related Phonetic Concepts

The Spectrum of Vowels

Close vowels represent one end of the vowel height spectrum. Their counterparts are open vowels, where the tongue is positioned as low as possible in the mouth, creating the widest possible opening.

Understanding this spectrum is fundamental to phonetics, as it maps the primary articulatory dimensions of vowel production.

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References

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Phonetic Frontiers: Understanding Close Vowels

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Defining Close Vowels 🗣️

⬆️ Tongue Position

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➕ Additional Notations

The IPA Vowel Quadrilateral 🗺️

📊 Visualizing Vowel Space

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Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining Close Vowels

Tongue Position

Terminology

IPA Representation

Standard Symbols

Additional Notations

The IPA Vowel Quadrilateral

Visualizing Vowel Space

Related Phonetic Concepts

The Spectrum of Vowels

Enhance Your Understanding

Learning Resources

Test Your Knowledge

Phonetic Assessment

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Academic Disclaimer

Important Notice