Vowel

Definition

Vowels are any speech sound that is articulated with no obstruction of the airflow through the vocal tract. Vowels are the most sonorous sounds in a language’s sound inventory (Zsiga, 2013).

Examples

The following examples outline the vowels found in Hul’q’umi’num’, Skwxwú7mesh, and Secwepemctsin. Vowels are given in IPA and do not necessarily correspond to Roman orthography.

  • Hul’q’umi’num’
Suttles (2004)
  • Skwxwú7mesh
Dyck (2004)
  • Secwepemctsin
Gibson (1973)