Speech vowels: /u/ /u:/, /e/ and /ɜ:/: - SS2 English Lesson Note
/u/ is a short, lax vowel sound that is pronounced with the lips rounded and the tongue in a high, back position. It is similar to the vowel sound in the word "put".
/u:/ is a long, tense vowel sound that is pronounced with the lips rounded and the tongue in a high, back position. It is similar to the vowel sound in the word "zoo".
/e/ is a short, lax vowel sound that is pronounced with the lips slightly spread and the tongue in a mid, front position. It is similar to the vowel sound in the word "set".
/ɜ:/ is a long, tense vowel sound that is pronounced with the lips slightly spread and the tongue in a mid, central position. It is similar to the vowel sound in the word "first".
Here are some examples of words where these vowels occur:
- /u/ - put, cup, up, come
- /u:/ - zoo, blue, food, moon
- /e/ - set, bed, hen, pen
- /ɜ:/ - first, learn, pearl, hurt
Here are some sentences where you can use these vowels correctly:
- I put the cup on the table.
- The blue sky is beautiful.
- The hen laid an egg.
- I learned a new word today.