What is a Lax Vowel ?

Lax Vowels

Also called short vowel because they shorter than Tense Vowels, also lax vowels when stressed, they are always cheked (They do not occur alone at the ends of words, but always need a following consonant.)

Short Vowels (æ, ɛ, ɪ, ɑ, ʌ ə, ʊ) | 44 Sounds of American English

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Lax Vowles

The length of a vowel is affected by many factors. However, if all other factors including the height of a vowel remain the same, a lax vowel is shorter than a tense vowel. The muscles of the vocal apparatus are relatively loose when articulating lax vowels. In addition, lax vowels mostly occur in one syllable words that end in consonants /I/ (as i in bit) /e/ (as e in bet) /æ/ (as a in bat) /U/ (as u in put) /ô/ (as au in caught)

Differences

Length: Lax vowels are shorter than tense vowels of the same height. Tense vowels are longer than lax vowels of the same height. Articulation: The articulation of the lax vowels is different because the tongue and some parts of the vocal apparatus are more tense than tense vowels. The muscles of the vocal apparatus are relatively loose when articulating a lax vowel. The tongue and other parts of the vocal apparatus are relatively tense when articulating a tense vowel. Tense-Lax Distinction Occurrence: Lax vowels usually occur in one syllable words that end in consonants. Tense vowels usually occur at the end of one syllable word.

Tense and Lax vowels examples

Tense Vowels examples Heart Horse Laugh Water Glue Moon Bird Earth Note: Remember, tense vowels are produced with greater tension in the tongue and may occur at the end of the words. Lax Vowels examples Bet Boy Hat Cup Sit Note: Remember, in the lax vowels we produce less tension in the tongue and may not occur at the end of the words.

Tense and Lax Vowels

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