Classification of English vowel

Express the classification of English vowel, give examples for illustration

Definition: Vowel sounds are the sounds in the production of which there is no obstruction to the air-flow so that the air can get out freely

• There are 12 simple vowels: / ɪ,  iː,  ə,  ɜː, ʌ, ɑː ɔ, ɔː, ʊ, uː, e, æ /

• Classification: According to

a. Tongue height:

– close vowels: âm đóng (the tongue is higher than its rest position): /ɪ,  iː, ʊ, uː /

– mid vowels : the tongue is in its rest position : ə,  ɜː, e, ɔː

– open vowels: The tongue is lower than its rest position: æ, ʌ, ɑː ɔ

b. Tongue shape:

– Front: when the front part of the tongue is higher:  ɪ,  iː, e, æ

– Central:  ə,  ɜː, ʌ.

– Back: when back part of the tongue is higher, uː, ɔ, ɔː, ɑː

c. Lip rounding:

– Rounded ( âm tròn môi ): ɔ, ɔː, ʊ, uː

– Spread ( âm dẹt môi ): ɪ,  iː, e, æ

– Neutral: ə,  ɜː, ʌ, ɑː

d. Length of production:

– Long vowels: iː, uː, ɔː, ɜː, ɑː

– Short vowels: ɪ, e, æ, ʊ, ɔ, ə, ʌ ./.