[+/- back]

Definition

The [+/- back] feature is used to refer to segments that are articulated with the tongue body moved back in the vocal tract from neutral position (Zsiga, 2013, p. 268).

[-back] vowels include [i, ɪ, e, ɛ, æ]. [+back] vowels are all those articulated with the tongue moved back and central vowels, such as [u, ɨ, o, ʌ, a] (p. 268).

Examples

  • Hul’q’umi’num’
    • The following phonemes that are enclosed in blue can be described as being [+back].
Suttles (2003).
  • Skwxwú7mesh
    • The following phonemes that are enclosed in blue can be described as being [+back].
Dyck (2004).
  • Secwepemctsín
    • The following phonemes that are enclosed in blue can be described as being [+back].
Gibson (1973).