In each of the eighteen vowel sounds the voice is uninterrupted in its passage through the mouth; the distinctive character of the sound being produced by the relative positions of tongue, soft palate, teeth and lips. These positions of the organs of speech, accurately adjusted, must be strictly and exactly maintained throughout the utterance of the vowel if the sound is to be and remain correct. In trying to attain these modifications of continuous voice or in other words the various vowel sounds the student should cultivate his ear and by the use of a mirror carefully note too the necessary alterations taking place in the variable cavity of the mouth. Where the aid and criticism of a teacher cannot be obtained an ideal of pronunciation should be formed by the observation of the best public speakers. E. A. AH. O. OO is the order of the long vowels: E being furthest back in the mouth and the others successively more forward and more open in character. For practice AH and OO are the most valuable. The diagrams shew approximately and relatively the actual opening and its shape formed by the lips in pronouncing these sustained vowels. The dotted lines indicate the teeth in lower jaw and in upper jaw. Note that in AH-A and E the lips are more open than the teeth whilst in OO and O the reverse is the case. Last Car Coo Ooze Home Own Ale Fate Ear Need Star Castle Spoon Group Comb Throne Ape Dale Eel Meat Far Basket Moon Root Old Blown Ache Save She Lease Mast Casket Booth Boon Cold Blow Ague Vain Scene Leave Father Demand Hoof Tomb Bold Only Blame Range Seam Grieve Lath Bar Too Move Fold Both Flame Change Treat Greed Fast Plant Prove Tooth Told Dome Shade Chase Cheat Fleece |