Vowel Sounds in English

Vowels are the open, resonant sounds that form the nucleus of every syllable. Unlike consonants, which involve some degree of obstruction to the airflow, vowels are produced with an open vocal tract — the air flows freely from the lungs through the mouth without significant constriction. English has a particularly rich vowel system, and vowel variation is the primary way in which English accents differ from one another. For AQA A-Level English Language, a detailed understanding of the English vowel system is essential for accent analysis and phonological description.

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How Vowels Are Classified

Vowels are classified using three primary parameters, which correspond to the position and shape of the tongue and lips:

1. Tongue Height (Openness)