VOWELS /U/ AND /U:/

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:

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.

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