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 1pixel2.gif (807 bytes) Reading the Vowel Charts
 1pixel2.gif (807 bytes) Tongue Height
Refers to the position of the tongue in reference to the roof of the mouth when making vowel sounds. Tongue height can be high, mid, or low. Notice that the tongue is in the middle of the oral cavity when producing the phoneme /o/ (as in no). Compare this with the phoneme /u/ (as in two) which is high and /a/ (as in father) which is low.
height.jpg (16521 bytes)

 

All content and technology Copyright 1999, 2000 by John D. Battenburg and Judy Swanson, Cal Poly State University, SLO, and may not be used or reproduced without permission Comments or Questions?