Short, medium, long, soft hard vowels and Consonants

Question

How do I know when to use Short, medium, long, soft hard vowels and  Consonants when speaking?Thanks.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Unfortunately there are no rules to this issue when relating to the English language. Example of this problem is highlighted with the word "wind". It can be pronounced in two different ways meaning two different things. First being "wind up the window" which is referring to a device such as a pulley to move something in a circular motion. Second being "the wind is strong" referring to a weather condition.

Then you also have the issue of dialects where one person may use a different vowel type to another. This is highlighted well in the George Gershwin song called "Lets call the whole thing off". I know this does not really help or assist you with understanding this issue but probably highlights that whichever way you say it is correct and also incorrect depending on location.

CalifJim · Answer

Anonymous How do I know when to use Short, medium, long, soft hard vowels and Consonants when speaking?

I think the best advice anyone can give you is to pronounce words as they are given in dictionaries. Those which have an audio feature are especially useful in this way. And always imitate the pronunciation of native speakers.
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It is a little easier to work out the pronunciation of one-syllable words. A final silent e indicates that the main vowel is long (tense). Otherwise, the main vowel is short (lax).

..............................A..............E................I..............O.............U
Short vowels:.....tap...........them.........dim..........hop.........cut
Long vowels:.....tape........theme........dime........hope......cute
Long vowels:........................bee..........die...........hoe........cue

Most vowel digraphs (two letters representing one sound) indicate long vowels. In these words a final silent e is not necessary to indicate the long vowel.

..............................A..............E................I..............O.............U
Digraphs:...........mail.........beam.......................soak........feud
............................vein.........feel............................................boot

A final silent e may be used to show the pronunciation of the last c or g, however. And final v also takes a silent e.

..........................waive.......peace.......................loaves......deuce
...........................................Greece......................................Scrooge

CJ

Short, medium, long, soft hard vowels and Consonants

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