Tricky vowels: the TRAP-vowel
1. An analytical exercise on the TRAP-vowel
Many languages do not have the TRAP-vowel in their inventory. Therefore, speakers will substitute another vowel that comes closest. As illustrated at 01.27 in this passage from the funny film 'My big fat Greek wedding', Greek speakers (as well as Italians) frequently use /a/ [travəl] rather than /trævəl/. Native speakers of, amongst other languages, Dutch and Swedish tend use /e/. The Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers gives us a fascinating tour around the ISS spaceship and pronounces [hef] for 'have' /hæv/ at 01.58 and at 02.02 'scientific reks' (wrecks?) for 'racks' /ræks/. Can you hear it?
Many languages do not have the TRAP-vowel in their inventory. Therefore, speakers will substitute another vowel that comes closest. As illustrated at 01.27 in this passage from the funny film 'My big fat Greek wedding', Greek speakers (as well as Italians) frequently use /a/ [travəl] rather than /trævəl/. Native speakers of, amongst other languages, Dutch and Swedish tend use /e/. The Dutch astronaut Andre Kuipers gives us a fascinating tour around the ISS spaceship and pronounces [hef] for 'have' /hæv/ at 01.58 and at 02.02 'scientific reks' (wrecks?) for 'racks' /ræks/. Can you hear it?
2. Minimal pairs and a listening exercise with the TRAP-vowel /æ/ vs the DRESS-vowel /e/
In English, the TRAP-vowel /æ/ and the DRESS-vowel /e/ are contrastive and convey meaning.
In English, the TRAP-vowel /æ/ and the DRESS-vowel /e/ are contrastive and convey meaning.
