Tense and Lax Vowel Examples in Phonetics

Vowel sounds differ from each other. Based on this difference, two classes of vowels are there – tense vowels and lax vowels. There are a number of differences between lax and tense vowels. 

A vowel is delegated “a speech sound delivered by a nearly open design of the vocal parcel, with the vibration of the vocal cords yet without discernible grinding”. What of it? All things considered, utilizing this definition, the letter Y in words like a song and timid is additionally a vowel. Notwithstanding, in words like past and truly, Y is a consonant on the grounds that the breath is halfway blocked. We will discuss all the important differences as below:

What are Tense Vowels?

Tense vowels are enunciated with more prominent strong exertion, marginally higher tongue positions, and longer terms than careless vowels. … specialists use terms, for example, tense and careless to depict the level of pressure in the tongue muscles, especially those muscles liable for the grouping up of the tongue length-ways.

Examples of Tense Vowel Words

What are Lax Vowels?

Lax vowels are likewise called short vowels: as a rule, they are more limited than tense (long) vowels. … Another quality of remiss vowels is that they are constantly checked: that is, they don’t happen alone at the closures of words, however consistently need an after a consonant.

Examples of Lax Vowel Words

Difference Between Tense and Lax Vowels

• Lax vowels end with a consonant, or we can say that they only occur in closed syllables. Tense vowels do not have such restrictions. 
• Lax vowels are more centralized, and they are pronounced closer than tense vowels. 
• Lax vowels are monophthongal and tense vowels are diphthongal. 
• Lax vowels are pronounced with more or less stationary tongue and lip position. Tense vowels are pronounced with the movement of the tongue, with or without a change in lip position. 
• There is the closing movement of the front of the tongue and lips are kept unrounded while pronouncing lax vowels. The pronunciation of tense vowels involves the closing movement of the back of the tongue with a simultaneous change from unrounded to rounded lips. 
• Lax vowels are shorter than tense vowels in length.  
• Many monosyllabic words have tense vowels as their nucleus, but there is no monosyllabic word without a final consonant having a lax vowel as the nucleus. 
• The pronunciation of tense vowels requires greater tension in the muscles of the vocal tract than lax vowels. 

The above-mentioned differences are good enough to differentiate between tense and lax vowels. Normally, it is considered that difference lies only in the length of tense and lax vowels. But there are many acoustic characteristics as mentioned above that make both these vowel classes different from each other. It is better to keep in mind the acoustic characteristics as it will help to differentiate easily.

Sentences using Tense and Lax Vowel Words

• Her knee got hurt during the dance classes. 
• I love to read books sitting under a tree on a sunny day. 
• She did not show team spirit while playing. 
• I got beautiful hair after regular use of castor oil.
• Global warming is one of the biggest threats to the environment. 
• I love to have bread toast as breakfast. 
• I was lost in the talks of a sweet little girl. 
• My mother asked me to get steam for my blocked nose. 
• I am listening to this song on repeat since yesterday. 
• My father loved the tweed I bought for him. 
• My mood changed instantly after listening to the good news. 
• We were given a strong warning to reach the railway station without delay. 
• She always drinks her juice with a straw. 
• The cool breeze near the sea was refreshing. 
• The fear of darkness is in my mind since childhood. 
• She does not like the boy next door. 
• I went to the market to buy a new yoga mat. 
• My grandfather promised to buy me a rope for skipping. 
• They live in a beautiful hut outside the village.
• Her clothes were spoiled by the splash of mud.  

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