Here's the breakdown:
* Vowels are sounds made with an open vocal tract. This means air flows freely through your mouth without any obstruction from your tongue.
* The letter 'y' can act as both a consonant and a vowel. It's tricky!
Consonant 'y':
* At the beginning of a word, 'y' often acts as a consonant. For example, "yes," "yellow," and "young" all start with a consonant 'y' sound.
* In these cases, the 'y' sound is made by slightly obstructing the airflow with your tongue. It's similar to the 'j' sound in "joy".
Vowel 'y':
* In words like "baby" or "happy," the 'y' acts as a vowel, creating a gliding sound like "ee".
* This vowel sound is often represented by the letter "i" in other words, like "bite" or "light".
So, why isn't 'y' considered a vowel all the time? Because its sound can change depending on its position in a word, and it often acts like a consonant.
Think of it this way: 'y' is like a chameleon, changing its appearance (sound) to fit into different situations. 😊