wide vowel

linguistics

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July 15, 2026

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In linguistics, a "wide vowel" is a sound produced with the tongue root advanced, expanding the pharynx. This is in contrast to a "narrow vowel," where the tongue root is retracted, narrowing the pharynx. Vowels are classified by tongue position (high, mid, low; front, back) and lip shape (rounded, spread). The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) provides unique symbols for speech sounds, including vowels, to standardize phonetic transcription.123

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vowel
To form a wide vowel, the tongue root is advanced so that the pharynx is expanded. Tense and lax are less clearly defined terms. Tense vowels are articulated with greater muscular effort, slightly higher tongue positions, and longer durations than lax vowels.
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To form a wide vowel, the tongue root is advanced so that the pharynx is expanded. Tense and lax are less clearly defined terms. Tense vowels are articulated with greater muscular effort, slightly higher tongue positions, and longer durations than lax vowels.
Read More