2. The Spanish Vowels
I. OVERVIEW OF THE SPANISH VOWELS
In this chapter we present the five Spanish vowels. The correct articulation of vowels is essential to achieve accurate or native-like pronunciation. Unlike in English, the pronunciation of vowels in Spanish is relatively stable across dialects of all regions. Therefore, what you will learn here applies to any variety of Spanish that you speak.
In this chapter you will:
- Review how the five vowels are pronounced in Spanish
- Practice your ability to perceive Spanish vowels
- Be able to produce Spanish vowels in context
Vowels are an essential element of all languages. This is also the case of Spanish. In phonetics, we describe a vowel as a sound that, different from consonants, is articulated without any obstruction in the oral cavity or mouth.
It is important that you understand what you have learned so far. Please take this quiz before continuing:
II. THE LETTER A
In Spanish, the A is a low central vowel, meaning that the when articulating this sound the tongue is low on a vertical axis and in the middle on a horizontal axis. Its sound is similar to the “a” in “father;” not like in “cat,” “blame,” or “bad.”
Let’s now do a contrastive analysis of the English and Spanish “A” in context. Remember, the letter “A” sounds the same in all contexts. Listen and repeat these words after the speakers.
ATTENTION: Spanish vowels are TENSE, SHORT, and ABRUPT… and the schwa DOES NOT EXIST!
| English | Spanish |
| Transaction | Transacción |
| Bank | Banco |
| Actor | Actor |
| Spanish | Español |
| Access | Acceso |
| Radio | Radio |
| Attention | Atención |
| Mamma | Mamá |
LET’S PRACTICE! Repeat these words and phrases after the speaker.
| Finanzas |
| Aval |
| Amalia trabajaba en una compañía para administrar empresas |
| Marta amaba a su marido mas el marido amaba a otra |
| Abraham agarraba plantas en el rancho de su papá |
| La mamá trabajaba en la fábrica de La Laguna |
| María hablaba varias lenguas raras cada día en la mañana |
Self Analysis Activity
Listen to your recording and answer the following questions. Answers will auto-save every 10 seconds.
II. THE LETTER E
In Spanish, the E is a mid front vowel, meaning that when articulating this sound the tongue is in the middle on a vertical axis and in the front on a horizontal axis. Its sound is similar to the “e” in “wrench;” not like in “hey” or “Pete.”
Let’s now do a contrastive analysis of the English and Spanish “E” in context. Remember, the letter “E” sounds the same in all contexts. Listen and repeat these words after the speakers.
ATTENTION: Feel the tension in your face when you pronounce the “E.”
| English | Spanish |
| Net benefit | Beneficio neto |
| Exports | Exportaciones |
| Letter | Letra |
| Telephone | Teléfono |
| Rest | Resto |
| Super | Súper |
| Mexico | México |
| Excellent | Excelente |
| Eminent | Eminente |
LET’S PRACTICE! Repeat these words after the speaker.
| Empleador |
| Empresario |
| Pelele |
| Tema |
| Lema |
| Cafetería |
| Café |
| Mente |
Self Analysis Activity
— En el elevador estaré solamente un segundo pues tengo temor de los espacios cerrados.
— Efectivamente, ese herrero es reteque mediocre.
— Tememos a aquellos que tienen la tendencia a ensoberbecerse con semejante estupidez.
— La condescendencia del maestro con sus estudiantes era verdaderamente un elogio.
Listen to your recording and answer the following questions. Answers will auto-save every 10 seconds..
III. THE LETTER I
In Spanish, the I is a high front vowel, meaning that when articulating this sound the tongue is high on a vertical axis and in the front on a horizontal axis. Its sound is similar to the “i” in “unique;” not like in “bit” or “bite.”
Let’s now do a contrastive analysis of the English and Spanish “I” in context. Remember, the letter “I” sounds the same in all contexts. Listen and repeat these words after the speakers.
ATTENTION: The likelihood of pronouncing the Spanish “I” like a schwa is the highest among all vowels. Beware!
| English | Spanish |
| Interests | Intereses |
| Industry | Industria |
| Crime | Crimen |
| Family | Familia |
| Delicious | Delicioso |
| Thesis | Tesis |
| Important | Importante |
| Unique | Único |
LET’S PRACTICE! Repeat these words after the speaker.
| Importaciones |
| Salario mínimo |
| Iridiscente |
| Mistificación |
| Ilegítimo |
| Minimizar |
| Ritual |
| Inteligentísimo |
| Importantísimo |
Self Analysis Activity
— Iris se hirió ininterrumpidamente.
— El sentimentalismo lo hizo increíblemente inútil y ni siquiera vivir podía.
— El vitivinicultor de California insistió en que hiciéramos un recorrido por la isla invadida de hormigas.
— Miriam reía ininterrumpidamente.
Listen to your recording and answer the following questions. Answers will auto-save every 10 seconds.d.
IV. THE LETTER O
In Spanish, the O is a mid back vowel, meaning that when articulating this sound the tongue is in the middle on a vertical axis and in the back on a horizontal axis. Its sound is similar to the “o” in “more;” not like in “Bob,” “done,” or “hope.”
Let’s now do a contrastive analysis of the English and Spanish “O” in context. Remember, the letter “O” sounds the same in all contexts. Listen and repeat these words after the speakers.
ATTENTION: Don’t utter lazy or glidy o’s. Spanish o’s are tense and non-glidy!
| English | Spanish |
| Opportunity | Oportunidad |
| Operation | Operación |
| Other | Otro |
| Telephone | Teléfono |
| Chocolate | Chocolate |
| Impossible | Imposible |
| Positive | Positivo |
| Actor | Actor |
LET’S PRACTICE! Repeat these words after the speaker.
| Comercio |
| Electrónico |
| Ocho |
| Colmena |
| Ordenador |
| Cocina |
| Dinero |
| Horóscopo |
| Tropezó |
Self Analysis Activity
— Hubo en el zoológico un robo de lobos.
— Fue horroroso por los estragos que ocasionaron.
— No se oyó nada en los noticieros pero los amigos de mi primo lo comentaron.
— Ahora van a poner protección para los zorros.
— Qué cosas ocurren en el mundo
Listen to your recording and answer the following questions. Answers will auto-save every 10 seconds.
V. THE LETTER U
In Spanish, the U is a high back vowel, meaning that when articulating this sound the tongue is high on a vertical axis and in the back on a horizontal axis. Its sound is similar to the “u” in “moo;” not like in “university,” “burp,” or “but.”
Let’s now do a contrastive analysis of the English and Spanish “U” in context. Remember, the letter “U” sounds the same in all contexts. Listen and repeat these words after the speakers.
ATTENTION: The likelihood of pronouncing the Spanish “U” as “ew” is high. Beware!
| English | Spanish |
| Subcontractor | Subcontratista |
| Mutual funds | Fondos mutuales |
| Ultimate | Último |
| Much | Mucho |
| Nocturnal | Nocturno |
| Institution | Institución |
| Duke | Duque |
| June | Junio |
| Consultation | Consulta |
| University | Universidad |
LET’S PRACTICE! Repeat these words after the speaker.
| Usufructo |
| Urna |
| Húmedo |
| Camuflage |
| Uruchurtu |
| Rumbo |
| Ruta |
| Amuleto |
Self Analysis Activity
— Unos estudiantes tuvieron dificultades con el subjuntivo.
— Algunos otros estudiaron mucho y pudieron superar la prueba durante las últimas semanas.
— Pero en el último grupo el profesor Ugarteburu supo luchar para superar la cuestión.
— La última semana hubo muchas menos situaciones turbias en tus rumbos.
Listen to your recording and answer the following questions. Answers will auto-save every 10 seconds..
