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Unlike most distinctive features, the feature [tense] can be interpreted only relatively, often with a perception of greater tension or pressure in the mouth, which, in a language like English, contrasts between two corresponding vowel types: a tense vowel and a lax vowel.
Vowel length in English is affected by many factors. All other things being equal, a vowel is shorter when it is before a voiceless consonant in the same syllable. E.g. /Q/ in ‘bat’ is shorter than in ‘bad’ or ‘ban’. /E/ in ‘bet’ is shorter than in ‘bed’ or ‘bell’.
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The body of the tongue moves in the mouth to shape each vowel, and for some vowels, the lips are rounded as well. Linguists classify vowels according to four pieces of information: tongue height, tongue backness, lip rounding, and tenseness.
Tense vs. lax. Conventionally a distinction is made between ‘tense’ and ‘lax’ vowels in English, at least for high and mid vowels. The tense vowels, when not part of a diphthong, are phonetically long. Tense vs. lax distinctions are sometimes held to be inoperative for low vowels.
Dec 6, 2023 · Lax vowels primarily occur in one-syllable words that end in consonants, such as “bit,” “bet,” and “hat.” Tense vowels, on the other hand, typically appear at the end of one-syllable words, like “beat,” “book,” and “food.”
- Lax vowels are shorter sounds produced with relatively loose muscles in the vocal apparatus. They occur in words like “bit,” “bet,” and “hat.”
- Tense vowels are longer sounds produced with relatively tense muscles in the vocal apparatus. They typically occur at the end of one-syllable words...
- The main difference between lax and tense vowels is their length and the tension of the muscles used to produce them. Lax vowels are shorter and pr...
- Mastering the distinction between lax and tense vowels is important for accurate pronunciation in American English. Understanding and correctly pro...
- Practicing and refining the pronunciation of lax and tense vowels can lead to improved language fluency and clarity in speech. Focus on recognizing...
Mar 18, 2024 · If the tongue root is instead in a more retracted position closer to the pharyngeal wall, as for the vowel in the English word bit, it keeps the tongue somewhat more relaxed, so a vowel with a retracted tongue root is sometimes called a lax vowel.
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Lax vowels end with a consonant, or we can say that they only occur in closed syllables. Tense vowels do not have such restrictions. Lax vowels are more centralized, and they are pronounced closer than tense vowels. Lax vowels are monophthongal and tense vowels are diphthongal.
