The 12 Vowel Sounds in English

The Vowel Sounds in English
Monophthongs
Vowel 
I. Phonetics Description
High, Unrounded, Long, Front Vowel
II. The Production of 
a. The vowel is produced with the tongue raised high and close to the roof of the
mouth.
b. This vowel is produced when the lips are not rounded or spread.
c. The vowel sound is held for a relatively extended period.
d. The vowel is produced with the front part of the tongue raised high towards the
hard palate.
III. Distribution (position)
a. Word initial position
Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

easy /  ‘mudah’
eel /  ‘belut’
eat /  ‘makan’
b. Word medial position

believe /  ‘agamawan’
peaceful /  ‘damai’
ceiling /  ‘langit-langit’
c. Word final position

bee /  ‘lebah’
key /  ‘kunci’
see /  ‘melihat’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  in various accents and dialects of English can indeed
differ, leading to variations in spelling. Here are some examples of these differences:
a. In some Southern American accents, the  sound may be pronounced as  or .
For example, the word “seat” might be pronounced as or .
b. In Cockney, a London dialect, the  sound may be pronounced as . For example,
the word “see” can be pronounced as .
c. In some Canadian accents, particularly in the Maritimes, the  sound may be
pronounced with a diphthong, like . For example, the word “feet” could be
pronounced as .
d. In some Irish accents, the  sound can be pronounced more like  or . For
example, the word “see” might be pronounced as  or .
Vowel 
High, Unrounded, Short, Front Vowel
II. The Production of 
mouth.
c. The vowel sound is held for a relatively brief duration.
hard palate.

important /  ‘penting’
individual /  ‘individu’
ignorant /  ‘bodoh’

middle /  ‘tengah’
kitten /  ‘anak kucing’
listen /  ‘dengar’

hit /  ‘memukul’
submit /  ‘mengirim’
permit /  ‘izin’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can vary in different accents and dialects of
English, leading to differences in spelling. Here are some examples of how the
pronunciation of  can differ across various English accents:
a. In Cockney, the  sound can be pronounced as , which is more open than the
standard  sound. For example, the word “sit” could be pronounced as , the
word “bit” as , and the word “fit” as .
b. In some Scottish accents, the  sound can be pronounced as , which is a
more tense and higher vowel sound. For example, the word “sit” might be
pronounced as , the word “bit” as , and the word “fit” as .
c. In some Southern American accents, the  sound can be pronounced as a
diphthong, like  or . For example, the word “sit” could be pronounced as
 or , the word “bit” as  or , and the word “fit” as or
.
Vowel 
Mid, Unrounded, Short, Front Vowel
II. The Production of 
a. The vowels are produced with the tongue mid-air or halfway between the roof of
the mouth and the floor of the mouth.
hard palate.

egg /  ‘telur’
elephant /  ‘gajah’
end /  ‘akhir’

better /  ‘lebih baik’
message /  ‘pesan’
tennis /  ‘tenis’

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IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can vary in different accents and dialects of English,
leading to differences in spelling. Here are some examples of how the pronunciation
of  can differ:
a. In General American, the  sound is often pronounced as a more centralized and lax
sound, like . For example, the word “bet” might be pronounced as , the word
“red” as , and the word “pen” as .
b. In Cockney, the  sound can be pronounced as , which is more open and further
back than the standard  sound. For example, the word “bet” could be pronounced
as , the word “red” as , and “pen” as .
c. In some Scottish accents, the  sound can be pronounced as , which is a longer,
more tense vowel sound. For example, the word “bet” might be pronounced as ,
the word “red” as , and “pen” as .
Vowel 
Mid, Neutral, Long, Central Vowel
II. The Production of 
a. The vowel is produced with the tongue mid-air or halfway between the roof of the
mouth and the floor of the mouth.
b. This vowel is produced when the lip shape is not rounded or rounded.
d. The vowel is produced with the centre of the tongue raised towards the hard palate.

earn /  ‘penting’
earth /  ‘individu’
early /  ‘bodoh’

person /  ‘tengah’
certain /  ‘anak kucing’
service /  ‘dengar’
refer  ‘merujuk’
stir  ‘mengaduk’
her  ‘dia’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel can vary in different accents and dialects of English,
leading to differences in spelling or the use of different vowels. Here are examples of
accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may differ:
a. In some New York City accents,  can be pronounced as  or . For example,
the word “bird” could be pronounced as  or , the word “hurt” as  or
, and “word” as  or .
b. In some Southern American accents,  may be pronounced as a reduced vowel,
often as . For example, the word “bird” might be pronounced as , the word
“hurt” as , and the word “word” as .
c. Pronunciation: In some Scottish accents,  can be pronounced with variations
ranging from  to . For example, the word “bird” could be pronounced as 
or , the word “hurt” as  or , "word" as  or .
d. In some Dublin accents,  can be pronounced as  or . For example, the
word “bird” might be pronounced as  or , the word “hurt” as  or
, and the word “word” as  or .
e. In some Canadian Maritimes accents,  may be pronounced with a diphthong,
such as . For example, the word “bird” could be pronounced as , the word
“hurt” as , and the word “word” as .
Vowel 
Low, Unrounded, Short, Front Vowel
II. The Production of 
a. The vowel is produced with the tongue lowered and close to the floor of the mouth.
hard palate.
apple / ‘apel’
actor /  ‘aktor’
ant /  ‘semut’

candy /  ‘permen’
banana /  ‘pisang’
camera /  ‘kamera’

bat  ‘kelelawar’
mat  ‘tikar’
cat  ‘kucing’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel /æ/ can vary in various accents and dialects of English,
accents and dialects where the pronunciation of /æ/ may differ:
a. In some New York City accents, /æ/ may be pronounced as a more open sound. For
example, the word “cat” could be pronounced as , the word “trap” as , and
the word “man” as .
b. In Southern American accents, /æ/ may be pronounced as , particularly in some
non-rhotic accents. For example, the word “cat” might be pronounced as , the
word “trap” as , and the word “man” as .
c. Pronunciation: In Cockney, /æ/ can be pronounced as /a/, a more fronted and open
sound. For example, the word “cat” could be pronounced as , the word “trap” as
, and the word “man” as .
d. Pronunciation: In some Canadian Maritimes accents, /æ/ may be pronounced with a
diphthong, such as /æə/. For example, the word “cat” could be pronounced as /kæət/,
the word “trap” as /træəp/, and the word “man” as /mæən/.
Vowel 
Mid, Neutral, Short, Central Vowel
II. The Production of 

arise / ‘bangkit’
about /  ‘tentang’
alive /  ‘hidup’

candy /  ‘permen’
banana /  ‘pisang’
camera /  ‘kamera’

sofa  ‘kelelawar’
banana  ‘tikar’
problem  ‘kucing’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
leading to differences in spelling or the use of different vowels. Here are some examples
of accents and dialects where the pronunciation of may vary:
a. In Cockney, the vowel can be pronounced as , , or , with a more open
quality. For example, the word “sofa” could be pronounced as , , or
, the word “problem” as ,or , and the word “banana”
as , , or .
b. In some Scottish accents, the vowel can be pronounced with variations, including
//, ////. For example, the word “sofa” might be pronounced
as //, ////, the word “problem” as ////, // and the
word “banana” as , , or .
c. In South African English, the vowel  may be pronounced as , , or ,
depending on the accent. For example, the word “sofa” can be pronounced
as //, //, or //, the word “problem” as //, /, /, and
the word “banana” as //, //, /.
Vowel 
Low, Neutral, Short, Central Vowel
II. The Production of 

under / ‘bawah’
umbrella /  ‘payung’
ugly /  ‘jelek’

funny /  ‘lucu’
money /  ‘uang’
butter /  ‘mentega’

shut  ‘tembak’
cut  ‘potong’
but  ‘tapi’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may vary:
a. In Cockney,  can be pronounced as /ɐ/, a more central or back sound. For
example, the word “cup” could be pronounced as , the word “luck” as , and
the word “sun” as .
b. In some Canadian Maritimes accents, the vowel  may be pronounced with a
diphthong, such as . For example, the word “cup" could be pronounced as ,
the word “luck” as , and “sun” as .
c. In South African English, the vowel  is often pronounced as  or . For
example, the word “cup” can be pronounced as  or , the word “luck” as 
or , and “sun” as or 
d. In African American Vernacular English, the vowel  may be pronounced as  or
, with a more central or back quality. For example, the word “cup” could be
pronounced as , the word “luck” as , and the word “sun” as /.
Vowel 
High, Rounded, Short, Back Vowel
II. The Production of 
mouth.
b. This vowel is produced when the lips are rounded and protruded.
d. The vowel is produced with the tongue pulled back in the mouth and the back of
the tongue is raised high towards the velum (soft palate).

Ugh  ‘ugh’
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book /  ‘buku’
look /  ‘melihat’
cookie /  ‘kue’

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IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may vary:
a. In some Canadian Maritimes accents,  may be pronounced with a diphthong, such
as . For example, the word “book” could be pronounced as , the word
“look” as , and the word “good” as .
b. In New Zealand English,  is often pronounced as ʉ, similar to Australian English.
For example, the word “book” is pronounced as ʉ, the word “look” as ʉk, and
the word “good” as ʉ.
Vowel 
Low, Rounded, Short, Back Vowel
II. The Production of 

opera /  ‘opera’
ox /  ‘lembu’
octopus /  ‘gurita’

bottom / ‘bawah’
cotton /  ‘kapas’
model /  ‘model’

job  ‘pekerjaan’
gob  ‘pelayar’
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IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
of accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may vary:
a. In Australian English, the vowel  is often pronounced as , a more open and back
vowel. For example, the word “lot” is pronounced as , the word “dog” as
, and the word “off” as .
b. In General American, the vowel  is often pronounced as , a more open and
unrounded vowel. For example, the word “lot” might be pronounced as , the
word “dog” as , and the word “off” as .
c. In some Canadian Maritimes accents, the vowel  may be pronounced with a
diphthong, such as . For example, the word “lot” could be pronounced as ,
the word “dog” as , and the word “off” as .
d. Pronunciation: In some New York City accents, the vowel  can be pronounced as
, a more open and fronted sound. For example, the word “lot” could be
pronounced as , the word “dog” as , and the word “off” as .
Vowel 
Low, Unrounded, Long, Back Vowel
II. The Production of 

art /  ‘seni’
arm /  ‘alarm’
actor /  ‘aktor’

start / ‘mulai’
hard /  ‘keras’
park /  ‘taman’

spa  ‘spa’
far  ‘jauh’
bar  ‘batang’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
of accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may vary:
a. In some Scottish accents, the vowel  can be pronounced with variations, including
. For example, the word “bath” might be pronounced as or , the word
“dance” as  or , and the word “heart” as or .
b. In some Canadian Maritimes accents, the vowel  may be pronounced with a
diphthong, such as . For example, the word “bath” could be pronounced as ,
the word “dance” as , and the word “heart” as .
Vowel 
High, Rounded, Long, Back Vowel
II. The Production of 
mouth.

use /  ‘menggunakan’
universe /  ‘semesta’
usual /  ‘biasa’

music / ‘musik’
beautiful /  ‘cantik’
computer /  ‘komputer’

shoe  ‘sepatu’
blue  ‘biru’
menu  ‘menu’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel  can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
of accents and dialects where the pronunciation of  may vary:
a. In some New York City accents, the vowel can be pronounced as ʉ, a slightly
higher and centralized sound. For example, the word “boot” could be pronounced as
ʉ, the word “moon” as ʉ, and the word “food” as ʉ
b. In some Southern American accents, the vowel may be pronounced as , a
diphthong. For example, the word “boot” might be pronounced as , the word
“moon” as , and the word “food” as .
c. In Cockney, the vowel  can be pronounced as , a more centralized and less
rounded sound. For example, the word “boot” could be pronounced as , the word
“moon” as , and the word “food” as .
d. In some Scottish accents, the vowel  can be pronounced with variations, including
ʉ:or ʉ. For example, the word “boot” might be pronounced as ʉ or ʉ,
the word “moon” as ʉor ʉ, and the word “food” as ʉ or ʉ.
Vowel 
Mid, Rounded, Long, Back Vowel
II. The Production of 

all /  semua’
awesome /  ‘keren’
orchestra / ‘orkestra’

morning / ‘pagi’
record /  ‘merekam’
foreign /  ‘asing’

saw  ‘melihat’
flaw  ‘kelemahan’
draw  ‘menggambar’
IV. Spelling
The pronunciation of the vowel can differ in various accents and dialects of English,
accents and dialects where the pronunciation of may vary:
a. In Standard British English, the vowel  is typically pronounced as , a low,
back, and rounded vowel. For example, the word "thought" is pronounced as ,
the word "caught" as , and the word "bought" as .
b. In some Southern American accents, the vowel may be pronounced with
variations, including or . For example, the word "thought" might be
pronounced as or , the word "caught" as  or , and the word
"bought" as  or .
c. In some Scottish accents, the vowel can be pronounced with variations, including
 or . For example, the word "thought" might be pronounced as  or ,
the word "caught" as  or , and the word "bought" as  or [.

The 12 Vowel Sounds in English

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The 12 Vowel Sounds in English

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The Vowel Sounds in English

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

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Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

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Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

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Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

Spelling Phonetic transcription Meaning

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