The vowels /u/ and /u:/ are both phonetic sounds that exist in various languages, including English. Let’s take a closer look at each of them:
Table of Contents
1. /u/
– This sound is known as the close-back rounded vowel.
– It is typically pronounced with rounded lips and a relatively high and back tongue position.
– In English, the /u/ sound is found in words like “boot,” “moon,” or “food.”
– It is a short vowel sound and is usually represented by the letter “u” or “oo” in English orthography.
– Examples: “pull” /pʊl/, “good” /ɡʊd/, “book” /bʊk/.
2. /u:/
– This sound is known as the close back rounded long vowel.
– It is similar to the /u/ sound but is longer in duration.
– In English, the /u:/ sound is found in words like “goose,” “blue,” or “two.”
– It is a long vowel sound and is often represented by the letter combination “oo” or “u” in English orthography.
– Examples: “goose” /ɡuːs/, “rule” /ruːl/, “fruit” /fruːt/.
It’s important to note that the specific pronunciation of these vowels can vary depending on regional accents and dialects. The examples given here are general representations of these sounds in standard English.
/u/ /u:/
Look luke
Full fool
Pull pool
Could cooed
Wood wooed
Should shooed
Bull blue
EVALUATION
Write out ten words each for these sounds /u/ and /u:/
ASSIGNMENT
Transcribe the following words and identify the sound /u/ and /u:/ (i) Value (ii) Tuesday (iii) sugar (iv few (v) fruit (vi) stood (vii) refuse (viii) butcher.