[+/- high]

Definition

Vowels that are distinguished as [+high] are those that articulated with the tongue body raised from neutral position. The natural class of [+high] vowels includes [i, u, ʊ, i, y]; all other vowels are [-high].

The [high] feature can also be used when distinguishing between [+high] versus [-high] palatal and uvular consonants (Zsiga, 2013, p. 268)

Examples

  • Hul’q’umi’num’
    • The following vowels that are enclosed in blue are those that can be described as [+high], in terms of tongue height.
Suttles (2003).
  • Skwxwú7mesh
    • The following vowels that are enclosed in blue are those that can be described as [+high], in terms of tongue height.
Dyck (2004).
  • Secwepemctsín
    • The following vowels that are enclosed in blue are those that can be described as [+high], in terms of tongue height.
Gibson (1973).