Ill 



PHONATION AND AKTICULATION 



157 



In pronouncing the fundamental vowel a (ah), where the 

 oral aperture is maximal, the soft palate is least raised 

 (Czermak) ; on dropping from a to the end-vowels u and i the 

 soft palate is raised and the nasal cavity more perfectly closed 

 in proportion as the oral cavity is constricted. This agrees with 

 the fact that a, o, e are easily rendered nasal, which is difficult 

 for i and u. 



The complete series u (oo) ... a (ah) ... i (ee) corresponds to 



FIG. 100. Shape of oral cavity in the production of the three fundamental vowels (Griitzner.) 



the progressive rise in pitch when the vowels are pronounced with 

 the ordinary breath. Although the several vowels can be pro- 

 nounced on different musical notes it is very difficult to enunciate 

 u clearly in the highest soprano, and i in the deepest bass. 



U... i really represent the vowel-limits. In uttering these 

 the canal is most constricted; at u the opening of the lips is 

 narrowest, at i the oral cavity is smallest, owing to the rise of 

 the tongue which divides it into two. Beyond these limits the 

 character of the vowel sounds is obscured, and approximates to 

 that of the consonants. 



