Vowel

From Glottopedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

In phonetics/phonology, a vowel is a speech sound in whose articulation the oral part of the breath channel is not constricted enough to cause audible friction.

Term properties

A relational adjective from vowel that is occasionally used is vocalic.

Comments

Speech sounds with audible constriction are called consonants; sounds intermediate between vowels and consonants are called semi-vowels (not "semi-consonants").

Origin

The word goes back to French voyelle, from Latin (littera) vocalis 'voice letter' (from vox 'voice').

Other languages

French voyelle German Vokal

Links

Utrecht Lexicon of Linguistics

STUB
CAT This article needs proper categorization. You can help Glottopedia by categorizing it
Please do not remove this block until the problem is fixed.
FORMAT