Phonetics: Tense/Lax Vowels in English 1.1
This exercise is designed to help you become familiar with the distinction between the features tense and lax.
Note: It is disputed as to whether ATR is a feature of all English vowels. However, for learning purposes, we will use the terms ‘tense’ and ‘lax’ and [+/- ATR] synonymously; thus:
‘tense’ = [+ATR] ‘lax’ = [-ATR]
Tense vowels are accompanied by a constriction of facial muscles and the tongue during phonation, whereas lax vowels are not. ATR ("advanced tongue root") refers to the root of the tongue moving forward in the oral cavity during phonation. If your instructor refers to tense vowels as [+ATR] and lax as [-ATR], simply make this distinction yourself as you go through the questions.
For the following questions, select the feature that best describes each vowel.
Note: It is disputed as to whether ATR is a feature of all English vowels. However, for learning purposes, we will use the terms ‘tense’ and ‘lax’ and [+/- ATR] synonymously; thus:
‘tense’ = [+ATR] ‘lax’ = [-ATR]
Tense vowels are accompanied by a constriction of facial muscles and the tongue during phonation, whereas lax vowels are not. ATR ("advanced tongue root") refers to the root of the tongue moving forward in the oral cavity during phonation. If your instructor refers to tense vowels as [+ATR] and lax as [-ATR], simply make this distinction yourself as you go through the questions.
For the following questions, select the feature that best describes each vowel.
You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.
Your answers are highlighted below.
