Cardinal vowels
Cardinal vowels are like the superhero vowels that help us make all the different sounds we use to talk. They are very special because they are like the basic building blocks we need to make every sound in every language.
Just like how there are superheroes with different powers, there are 8 different cardinal vowels, each with their own special power. We call them cardinal because they are really important and set the standard for how all other vowels should sound.
The first superhero vowel is "i" (like in "feet"), and it’s super squeaky and high pitched. This vowel has the power to make us sound super happy and excited when we say words like "weee" or "me".
The second superhero vowel is "ɪ" (like in "fist"), and it's a bit lower pitched than "i". This vowel is super important because it helps us make many different sounds like in words such as "ink" and "spin".
The third superhero vowel is "e" (like in "bet"), and it sounds like a happy "uh". This vowel has the power to make us sound bright and cheerful when we say words like "let" or "bend".
The fourth superhero vowel is "ɛ" (like in "pet"), and it sounds like "ehh". This vowel is also very important because it helps us make many different sounds like in words such as "pen" and "step".
The fifth superhero vowel is "a" (like in "hate"), and it sounds like a superhero landing! This vowel has the power to make us sound super strong and intense when we say words like "bat" or "fast".
The sixth superhero vowel is "ɑ" (like in "father"), and it sounds like a high-five! This vowel helps us make words like "pot" and "caught".
The seventh superhero vowel is "ʊ" (like in "put"), and it's super short and sounds like a little tiny "oo". This vowel has the power to make us sound cute and bubbly when we say words like "put" or "look".
The eighth and final superhero vowel is "u" (like in "boot"), and it's super long and sounds like we are holding a long note. This vowel has the power to make us sound calm and peaceful when we say words like "blue" or "fume".
So, those are the eight cardinal vowels and their special powers. Just like superheroes can team up to save the world, these vowels can also team up and make complex sounds that help us communicate with each other.
Just like how there are superheroes with different powers, there are 8 different cardinal vowels, each with their own special power. We call them cardinal because they are really important and set the standard for how all other vowels should sound.
The first superhero vowel is "i" (like in "feet"), and it’s super squeaky and high pitched. This vowel has the power to make us sound super happy and excited when we say words like "weee" or "me".
The second superhero vowel is "ɪ" (like in "fist"), and it's a bit lower pitched than "i". This vowel is super important because it helps us make many different sounds like in words such as "ink" and "spin".
The third superhero vowel is "e" (like in "bet"), and it sounds like a happy "uh". This vowel has the power to make us sound bright and cheerful when we say words like "let" or "bend".
The fourth superhero vowel is "ɛ" (like in "pet"), and it sounds like "ehh". This vowel is also very important because it helps us make many different sounds like in words such as "pen" and "step".
The fifth superhero vowel is "a" (like in "hate"), and it sounds like a superhero landing! This vowel has the power to make us sound super strong and intense when we say words like "bat" or "fast".
The sixth superhero vowel is "ɑ" (like in "father"), and it sounds like a high-five! This vowel helps us make words like "pot" and "caught".
The seventh superhero vowel is "ʊ" (like in "put"), and it's super short and sounds like a little tiny "oo". This vowel has the power to make us sound cute and bubbly when we say words like "put" or "look".
The eighth and final superhero vowel is "u" (like in "boot"), and it's super long and sounds like we are holding a long note. This vowel has the power to make us sound calm and peaceful when we say words like "blue" or "fume".
So, those are the eight cardinal vowels and their special powers. Just like superheroes can team up to save the world, these vowels can also team up and make complex sounds that help us communicate with each other.