Close vowel

{{Unreferenced|date=February 2008}} {{IPA chart vowels}} A '''close vowel''' is a type of [[vowel]] sound used in many spoken [[language]]s. The defining characteristic of a close vowel is that the tongue is positioned as close as possible to the roof of the mouth without creating a constriction that would be classified as a [[consonant]]. This term is prescribed by the [[International Phonetic Association]]. Close vowels are often referred to as '''high vowels''', as in the Americanist phonetic tradition, because the tongue is positioned high in the mouth during the articulation of a close vowel. The six close vowels identified within the [[International Phonetic Alphabet]] are: * [[close front unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[i]}} * [[close front rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[y]}} * [[close central unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ɨ]}} * [[close central rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ʉ]}} * [[close back unrounded vowel]] {{IPA|[ɯ]}} * [[close back rounded vowel]] {{IPA|[u]}} In the context of the [[phonology]] of any particular language, a ''high vowel'' can be any vowel that is more close than a [[mid vowel]]. That is, [[close-mid vowel]]s, [[near-close vowel]]s, and close vowels can all be considered high vowels. {{IPA navigation}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Close Vowel}}