Vowels 1

The front of the tongue is slightly behind and below the close front position. (The ‘close’ position is where the tongue is closest to the roof of the mouth.) Lips are spread. The tongue is tense, and the sides of the tongue touch the upper molars.

Examples: bead, key, cheese, scene, police, people, quay

The part of the tongue slightly nearer the centre is raised to just above the half-close position (not as high as in / i: /). The lips are spread loosely, and the tongue is more relaxed. The sides of the tongue may just touch the upper molars.

Examples: hit, sausage, biggest, rhythm, mountain, busy, women, sieve

The part of the tongue just behind the centre is raised, just above the half-close position. The lips are rounded, but not tight. The tongue is relatively relaxed.

Examples: book, good, woman, push, pull

The back of the tongue is raised just below the close position. Lips are rounded. The tongue is tense.

Examples: food, rude, true, who, fruit, soup