Vowel
Revision as of 14:35, 20 February 2009 by Wohlgemuth (talk | contribs)
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
| STUB |
