, Vowels and Their Classification According to the Position of the Tongue
Vowels are speech sounds produced when air flows freely from the lungs through the mouth
without any blockage or friction. While producing vowels, the vocal cords usually vibrate, and
the sound depends mainly on the position of the tongue and shape of the mouth.
In phonetics, vowels are classified in different ways, but the most important classification is
according to the position of the tongue.
What is Tongue Position?
The tongue position means where the tongue is placed inside the mouth during the
production of a vowel. The tongue can move:
Front, central, or back in the mouth
High, mid, or low in height
Based on this movement, vowels are classified into front vowels, central vowels, and back
vowels.
1. Front Vowels
Front vowels are produced when the front part of the tongue is raised towards the hard
palate.
Characteristics
Tongue is placed in the front of the mouth
Lips are usually spread or neutral
Common in English
Vowels are speech sounds produced when air flows freely from the lungs through the mouth
without any blockage or friction. While producing vowels, the vocal cords usually vibrate, and
the sound depends mainly on the position of the tongue and shape of the mouth.
In phonetics, vowels are classified in different ways, but the most important classification is
according to the position of the tongue.
What is Tongue Position?
The tongue position means where the tongue is placed inside the mouth during the
production of a vowel. The tongue can move:
Front, central, or back in the mouth
High, mid, or low in height
Based on this movement, vowels are classified into front vowels, central vowels, and back
vowels.
1. Front Vowels
Front vowels are produced when the front part of the tongue is raised towards the hard
palate.
Characteristics
Tongue is placed in the front of the mouth
Lips are usually spread or neutral
Common in English
