# Vowels of American English Pronunciation ## Central Vowels - /ɑ/ as in _box_ - Tonge in the bottom and somewhat tense. - Usually in - /ʌ/ as in _but_ - Tongue in the middle of the mouth and is very relaxed - Usually in _o_ and _u_. - The two vowels are basically the same in American English. Upside-down v is used for stressed syllables. ## Back Vowels - /uw/ as in boot - Tongue is very high in the back of mouth and fairly tense. - oo as in room - ue as in blue - u-e as in tune - u as in truth - /ʊ/ as in book - Tongue is high in the back of mouth and relaxed. - Lips are somewhat round. - oo as in took - u as in put - could and wolf - /ow/ as in boat - Tongue is at back of the mouth and very tense. - While saying the sound, tongue rises a little bit, and lips change from a little round to very round. - oa as in roast - oe as in toe - o->e as in wrote - ow as in below - o as in gold - /ɔ/ as in bought - Tongue is in the back of the mouth. - Lips are very slightly rounded. - aw as in law - au as in caught - a(l) as in walk - a(ll) as in small - o(r) as in torn > [!tip] > > Put your hand under your jaw and feel it when pronouncing these vowels. ## Diphthongs - /ay/ as in hi - /aw/ as in how - /oy/ as in boy - "Hi, cowboy?" ## Unstressed Vowels - Softened and less clear, weaker and shorter - schwa sound /ə/ - tongue in the middle and relaxed, let the sound come out - button -> buttn; doctor -> doctr; label -> labl - Pronounce the word, hold your fist when it comes to the stressed syllable ## R-Controlled Vowels - In British English, the r sound occurs only if it is followed by another vowel.