1. Duration:
- Long vowels are, as the name suggests, significantly longer in duration than short vowels. However, this difference in duration is not absolute.
- It's influenced by surrounding sounds, stress, and speaking style.
2. Quality:
- Long vowels often have a more "pure" or "full" quality compared to their short vowel counterparts.
- This is because they tend to be produced with less constriction in the vocal tract, allowing the sound to resonate more freely.
Here's a summary of Roach's key points regarding long vowels:
- Not simply longer: While longer duration is a primary characteristic, it's not the sole defining factor.
- More "open" quality: Long vowels are often perceived as more open or "full" in their articulation.
- Phonetic, not orthographic: Roach focuses on phonetic realization, not spelling. He emphasizes that the distinction between long and short vowels is based on their acoustic and articulatory properties.
- Variability and context: The duration and quality of vowels are influenced by surrounding sounds, stress, and speaking style.
It's important to note: The distinction between long and short vowels in English can be complex and not always straightforward. Factors like dialect, speaking style, and surrounding sounds can affect the duration and quality of vowels.
Roach's work provides a valuable framework for understanding the phonetic properties of long vowels in English, but it's essential to acknowledge the variability and nuances inherent in speech.