What is a Tense Vowel ?

Tense vowels

Tense is a term to describe tension in the mouth muscles

How to produce them?

Tense vowels are articulated with greater muscular effort, slightly higher tongue positions, and longer durations

Long Vowels

Comments

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

Search This Blog