The position of the tongue

2-1 Horisontal movements of the tongue:

1. front vowels [iː], [e], [æ]

2. central vowels [ʌ], [ɜː], [ə]

3. back vowels [ɔ], [ɔː], [uː], [ɑː]

Soviet phoneticians also distinguish two more classes:

4. front-retracted [ɪ]

5. back-advanced [u]

2-2 Vertical movements of the tongue:

1. close vowels

1.1. close-narrow [iː], [uː]

1.2. close-broad [ɪ], [u]

2. mid vowels

2.1. mid-narrow [e], [ɜː]

2.2. mid-broad [ʌ], [ə]

3. open vowels

3.1. open-narrow [ɔː]

3.2. open-broad [æ], [ɑː], [ɔ]

Soviet phoneticians enlarged this classification by dividing each class (close, mid, open) into “narrow” and “broad”.

3) Lip rounding Another feature of English vowels which is sometimes included into the principles of classification is lip rounding. Traditionally three lip positions are distinguished, that is spread, neutral and rounded. For the purpose of classification it is sufficient to distinguish between two lip position: rounded and unrounded, or neutral. In English lip rounding is not relevant phonologically since no two words can be differentiated on its basis.

4) Checkness Another property of English vowels is traditionally termed checkness. This quality depends on the character of the articulatory transition from a vowel to a consonant. In English it is very close unlike Russian. All English short vowels are checked when stressed. Before fortis voiceless consonants it is more perceptible that before a lenis voiced consonant or sonorant. All long vowels are free.

Though this characteristic has no phonological value it is of primary importance for Russian learners of English. Since all Russian vowels are free special attention should be drawn to making English short vowels checked. It is not the length of vowels that should be the point of attention but the character of the transition of a vowel into a consonant.

5)Tenseness Yet another one articulatory characteristic that needs our attention is tenseness. It characterizes the state of the organs of speech at the moment of production of a vowel. Special analysis shows that historically long vowels are tense while historically short vowels are lax. This characteristic may be include into classification of vowels because it might be helpful in teaching the students of English since there are no tense vowels in Russian.

Summary

Functionally relevant articulatory features of English vowels are:

· stability of articulation

· tongue position

The following characteristics have no phonological value. They are indispensable constituents of vowel quality and are considerably important in teaching English phonetics.

· lip position

· length

· character of vowel end (checkness)

· tenseness

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