spooky3 Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 MY I was always told that every English word contains a vowel. But i'm also told that 'Y' isn't a vowel! So is 'Y' a vowel or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amaranthus Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Is the letter Y a vowel or a consonant? The letter Y can be regarded as both a vowel and a consonant. In terms of sound, a vowel is 'a speech sound which is produced by comparatively open configuration of the vocal tract, with vibration of the vocal cords but without audible friction...', while a consonant is 'a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed'. The letter Y can be used to represent different sounds in different words, and can therefore fit either definition. In myth or hymn it's clearly a vowel, and also in words such as my, where it stands for a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). On the other hand, in a word like beyond there is an obstacle to the breath which can be heard between two vowels, and the same sound begins words like young and yes. (This consonant sound, like that of the letter W, is sometimes called a 'semivowel' because it is made in a similar way to a vowel, but functions in contrast to vowels when used in words.) Whether the letter Y is a vowel or a consonant is therefore rather an arbitrary decision. The letter is probably more often used as a vowel, but in this role it's often interchangeable with the letter I. However, the consonant sound is not consistently represented in English spelling by any other letter, and perhaps for this reason Y tends traditionally to be counted among the consonants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgksheff Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Shhh! . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sibon Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 MY I was always told that every English word contains a vowel. But i'm also told that 'Y' isn't a vowel! So is 'Y' a vowel or not? Why not try to fly to the sky? Or you could sing a hymn in the gym... but only if you have rhythm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyfriday Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 MY I was always told that every English word contains a vowel. But i'm also told that 'Y' isn't a vowel! So is 'Y' a vowel or not? I think the rule applies to vowel sounds, rather than vowels otherwise we'd be singing from the same hymn sheet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeadingNorth Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 It is officially called a consonant, but - as has already been made obvious - it serves the purpose of a vowel in many words. Hence "rhythms" is the longest word in the English language which contains no vowels. It has a vowel sound in it, represented by the Y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Why not try to fly to the sky? Or you could sing a hymn in the gym... but only if you have rhythm. Nobody likes a sm...... Liking your work, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spooky3 Posted November 15, 2010 Author Share Posted November 15, 2010 Is the letter Y a vowel or a consonant? The letter Y can be regarded as both a vowel and a consonant. In terms of sound, a vowel is 'a speech sound which is produced by comparatively open configuration of the vocal tract, with vibration of the vocal cords but without audible friction...', while a consonant is 'a basic speech sound in which the breath is at least partly obstructed'. The letter Y can be used to represent different sounds in different words, and can therefore fit either definition. In myth or hymn it's clearly a vowel, and also in words such as my, where it stands for a diphthong (a combination of two vowel sounds). On the other hand, in a word like beyond there is an obstacle to the breath which can be heard between two vowels, and the same sound begins words like young and yes. (This consonant sound, like that of the letter W, is sometimes called a 'semivowel' because it is made in a similar way to a vowel, but functions in contrast to vowels when used in words.) Whether the letter Y is a vowel or a consonant is therefore rather an arbitrary decision. The letter is probably more often used as a vowel, but in this role it's often interchangeable with the letter I. However, the consonant sound is not consistently represented in English spelling by any other letter, and perhaps for this reason Y tends traditionally to be counted among the consonants. Amazing! :thumbsup: I hope you didn't just copy that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amaranthus Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Amazing! :thumbsup: I hope you didn't just copy that. No, no, no... of course not, I am offended good sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubydazzler Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Amazing! :thumbsup: I hope you didn't just copy that. As if she would! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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