IPA Vowel Flashcards (Adrian Underhill Chart)

Front

/ɪ/

Back

Example Word: sit
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: high front
Tip: Less tension, slightly lower than /iː/

Front

/e/

Back

Example Word: dress
Lip Shape: spread
Tongue Position: mid front
Tip: Mid front vowel, tongue relaxed

Front

/iː/

Back

Example Word: fleece
Lip Shape: spread
Tongue Position: high front
Tip: Smile shape, tongue high at the front

Front

/æ/

Back

Example Word: apple
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: low front
Tip: Jaw opens, tongue low and front

Front

/ə/

Back

Example Word: teacher
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: mid central
Tip: Very relaxed, used in unstressed syllables

Front

/ʌ/

Back

Example Word: cup
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: mid-central
Tip: Central relaxed vowel

Front

/ɜː/

Back

Example Word: earth
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: mid-central
Tip: Tongue in mid-central, long vowel

Front

/ɑː/

Back

Example Word: father
Lip Shape: neutral
Tongue Position: low back
Tip: Jaw drops, tongue low and back

Front

/uː/

Back

Example Word: food
Lip Shape: rounded
Tongue Position: high back
Tip: Lips rounded and tongue high back

Front

/ɔː/

Back

Example Word: or
Lip Shape: rounded
Tongue Position: mid back
Tip: Lips rounded, long vowel