he utterance of the elementary sounds of a language, and
of their combinations.

An Elementary Sound is a simple, distinct sound made by the organs of
speech.

The Elementary Sounds of the English language are divided into Vocals,
Subvocals, and Aspirates.

Vocals are those sounds which consist of pure tone only. They are the most
prominent elements of speech. A diphthong is a union of two vocals,
commencing with one and ending with the other.

Subvocals are those sounds in which the vocalized breath is more or less
obstructed.

Aspirates consist of breath only, modified by the vocal organs.

VOCALS.

DIRECTIONS FOR ARTICULATION.

1. Let the mouth be open, and the teeth, tongue, and palate in their
proper position.

2. Pronounce the word in the CHART forcibly, and with the falling
inflection, several times in succession; then drop the subvocal or
aspirate sounds which precede or follow the vocal, and repeat the vocals
alone.

TABLE.

Long Vocals.

Sound Word Sound Word
a hate e err
a hare i pine
a far o no
a pass u tube
a fall u burn
e eve oo cool

Short Vocals.

Sound Word Sound Word

a mat o not
e met u us
i it oo book

REMARK.--In this table, the short sounds, except u, are nearly or quite
the same, in quality, as certain of the long sounds. The difference
consists chiefly in quantity. As a rule, the long vocals should be
prolonged with a full, clear utterance; but the short vocals should be
uttered sharply and almost explosively.

Diphthongs.

oi, oy, as in coin, boy. ou, ow, as in noun, now.

SUBVOCALS AND ASPIRATES.

DIRECTIONS FOR ARTICULATION.

Pronounce distinctly and forcibly, several times in succession, words in
which these sounds occur as elements; then drop the other sounds, and
repeat the subvocals and aspirates alone. Each subvocal in the first table
should be practiced in connection with its cognate sound.

Let the class repeat the words and elements, at first in concert; then
separately.

Select words ending with subvocal sounds for practice on subvocals; words
beginning or ending with aspirate sounds, for practice on aspirates.

COGNATE SOUNDS.

Subvocals Aspirates
Sound Example Sound Example
b babe p rap
d rod t at
g