Vowels:
* Produced by: The air flows freely through the mouth, with no obstruction or narrowing of the vocal tract.
* Airflow: Uninterrupted, smooth airflow.
* Sound: Created by the vibration of your vocal cords.
* Examples: a, e, i, o, u
Consonants:
* Produced by: The air is obstructed or narrowed in some way as it leaves the mouth. This obstruction can be created by the tongue, teeth, or lips.
* Airflow: Obstructed or partially obstructed airflow.
* Sound: Created by the air being forced through the obstruction, causing turbulence.
* Examples: b, d, f, g, h, j, k, l, m, n, p, q, r, s, t, v, w, x, y, z
Here's a table summarizing the key differences:
| Feature | Vowels | Consonants |
|---|---|---|
| Airflow | Uninterrupted | Obstructed or partially obstructed |
| Production | Free airflow through the mouth | Airflow obstructed by tongue, teeth, or lips |
| Sound creation | Vocal cord vibration | Air forced through obstruction |
Additional points:
* Vowels can stand alone, forming syllables.
* Consonants usually need a vowel to be pronounced.
* Vowel sounds are generally considered more open and resonant.
* Consonant sounds are generally considered more closed and restricted.
This is a simplified explanation, as there are some more nuanced differences depending on the specific vowel or consonant. But this should give you a good understanding of the basic distinctions.