VOWEL SOUNDS

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 497.

Vowel № 8 [o:] In pronouncing the English [o:] the tongue is retracted from the lower teeth. The back of the tongue is raised still higher to the soft palate than in [o]. The lips are rounded. Thus, the English [o:] may be defined as a long, tense, labialized, back, half-open vowel phoneme.

Proverbs:

· New lords, new laws.

· Pride goes before a fall.

· Velvet paws hide sharp claws.

· To cut a long story short.

Vowel № 9 [u] The back of the tongue is raised to the soft palate; the tongue is retracted. The lips are rounded but not protruded. Thus the English [u] may be defined as short, lax, back, labialized, close vowel phoneme.

Proverbs:

· By hook or by crook.

· Too many cooks spoil the broth.

· A good beginning makes a good ending.

· To beat about the bush.

Vowel № 10 [u:] The back of the tongue is raised high in the direction of the soft palate. The tongue is retracted. The lips are rounded but not protruded. Thus, the English [u:] is long, tense, back, labialized, close vowel phoneme.

Proverbs:

· No news is good news.

· The exception proves the rule.

· The proof of the pudding is in its eating.

· Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.

· Drop a spoon, company soon.

Vowel № 11 [ə:] In pronouncing the English [ə:] the tongue is neither raised nor lowered. The tongue is flat in the middle of the mouth cavity. The tip of the tongue is retracted from the lower teeth. The lips are neutral. Thus, the English [ə:] may be defined as a long, tense, mixed, half-open vowel phoneme.

Proverbs:

· First come, first served.

· Every early bird catches the worm.

· It is never too late to learn.

· The work will serve no purpose.

· A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

· Many words hurt more than swords.