The pronunciation of English vowel sounds in words like ‘dinner’, ‘river’, ‘image’ or ‘decision’ can be tricky to pronounce correctly. This is because the /ɪ/ sound doesn’t exist in most other languages. By comparing the /iy/ sound in ‘seat’, with the /ɪ/ sound in ‘sit’, speakers of any language can gain a greater understanding of how these sounds differ. With consistent, focused practice, students can improve their pronunciation of the /ɪ/ sound.
Tongue Height
With respect to tongue height, the tongue is higher for the /iy/ vowel sound than it is for the /ɪ/ vowel sound. In addition, the jaw drops more for /ɪ/ than it does for /iy/.
Front part of the tongue / Back part of the tongue
Both /iy/ and /ɪ/ are similar in that they involve the use of the front part of the tongue. However, in the pronunciation of the /iy/ sound, the tongue is further forward than it is for the /ɪ/ sound.
Tenseness / Laxness
In terms of tenseness/laxness, the /iy/ sound is pronounced with much greater muscle tension in the lips and especially the tongue than for /ɪ/. Much greater effort is involved in pronouncing the /iy/ sound than the /ɪ/ sound, especially in stressed syllables. Stand in front of a mirror and pronounce the word ‘clear’. Notice how the corners of your lips spread.
Lip Rounding
The lips are unrounded for both /iy/ and /ɪ/ vowel sounds.
Vowel Length
Another characteristic which differentiates the two vowel sounds is vowel length. Tense vowels are longer than lax vowels. Because /iy/ is a tense vowel sound and /ɪ/ is a lax vowel, the /iy/ sound is longer than /ɪ/. Pronounce the words ‘feel’ and ‘fill’, and you will notice that the vowel sound in ‘feel’ is longer.
Practice these vowel sounds :
/iy/ /ɪ/
seat sit
feel fill
bean bin
green grin
cheap chip
heat hit
he’s his
ease is
eat it
meet mitt
deed did
sleep slip
steal still
beat bit
each itch
gene gin
greed grid
heed hid
eel ill
neat knit
leak lick
leap lip
meal mill
peek pick
reason risen
seek sick
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