What is the Difference Between Lax and Tense Vowels?

The difference between lax and tense vowels lies in the articulatory characteristics and the position of the speech muscles during their production. Here are the main differences:

1. Muscle tension: Lax vowels are produced with a more relaxed speech muscle movement, while tense vowels are produced with a general tension of the speech muscles.
2. Length: Lax vowels are generally shorter than tense vowels of the same height.
3. Tongue root position: In the articulation of tense vowels, the root moves more forward, creating an advanced tongue root (ATR).
4. Lip position: Tense vowels are more rounded or have more spread lips compared to lax vowels.
5. Tongue body position: Tense vowels are articulated with the tongue in a higher position.

Examples of lax vowels in English include /I/ (as in "bit"), /e/ (as in "bet"), /æ/ (as in "bat"), /U/ (as in "put"), and /ô/ (as in "caught"). Examples of tense vowels include /i/ (as in "beat"), /u/ (as in "boot"), and /o/ (as in "book").

Lax vowels tend to occur in one-syllable words that end in consonants, while tense vowels usually occur at the end of one-syllable words. Additionally, lax vowels are more centralized and tend to be monophthongal, while tense vowels are more peripheral and tend to be diphthongal.

Comparative Table: Lax vs Tense Vowels

The difference between lax and tense vowels lies in the production and articulation of the vowel sounds. Here is a table highlighting the key differences:

Lax vowels are produced with a more relaxed speech muscle movement, while tense vowels are produced with a general tension of the speech muscles. Lax vowels are shorter than tense vowels, and they usually occur in one-syllable words that end in consonants. Tense vowels, on the other hand, are longer and tend to occur at the end of one-syllable words.