vowel system
- noun
- /ˈvaʊəl ˈsɪstəm/
- Specialized
:
sistema vocálico
- In a study of six regional vowel systems, Clopper et al. (2005) found that each region had its own realization of the vowel system, even though the vowels are typically represented with the same symbols and phonetic descriptors.
Examples
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In order to give an impression of the Dutch vowel system, Figure 1 shows the vowel triangle of the Dutch vowels.
Academic text (2012) -
In a study of six regional vowel systems, Clopper et al. (2005) found that each region had its own realization of the vowel system, even though the vowels are typically represented with the same symbols and phonetic descriptors.
Academic text (2012) -
Different languages have their own unique vowel system that shapes how words are pronounced.
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Understanding the vowel system is crucial for mastering the pronunciation of any language.
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The complexity of the English vowel system can make learning the language challenging for non-native speakers.
Synonyms
The set of vowel sounds used in a language
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'the set and organization of vowel sounds' is directly composed from 'vowel' (speech sounds) and 'system' (an organized set), so a B1 learner who knows both words can infer the MWE meaning. This compositional pattern is common cross-linguistically and in everyday and technical language, making the phrase immediately understandable without prior exposure.
Etymology
Vowel system paints a simple picture: vowel means the sounds like 'a, e, i, o, u' and system shows these sounds are kept together and ordered. So vowel system means the 'set' and order of vowel 'sounds' a language uses.
