/æ/ and /ɑ/

(Long /æ/) and (Long /ɑ/ )

In both /æ/ and /ɑ/ , the mouth is wide open:

For /æ/ , tongue is flatten out and comes forward.

For /ɑ/, tongue is further back and much less visible.

Pronunciation Drill I:

Read the following sentences. Make sure to distinguish the vowel sounds.

Words:

/æ/
The words:
Cat, mat, sat, flat, lack
Tangible, manor, cranberry, dragon, grapple
Uncanny, kilogram, romance, understand, retract

/a/

Read the following sentences. Make sure to distinguish the vowel sounds.

/æ/ vs. /ɑ/

Do you see the caps? – Do you see the cops?

I think it’s a hat. - I think it’s hot.

He is sitting on the cat. – He is sitting on the cot.

His sack is on the floor. – His sock is on the floor.

They’re stacking up books. – They’re stocking up books.

Tongue Twisters