Reading 101

Phonology Principle –Vowels are not good neighbours

Learning Objectives

To understand how phonology principle – vowels are not good neighbours – affects our spelling choices

IntroductionReview what you have learnt.

Vowels are everywhere!

Vowels are in every word Vowels are present in every word. Q: What happens if they are side-by-side?

Vowels side-by-side The first vowel goes long.

Vowels side-by-side – Long Vowels

Vowels side-by-side

More Examples The first vowel goes long when two vowels are

side-by-side.

1) Tree 7) Moon

2) Boat 8) Blue

3) Snail 9) Sauce

4) Tie 10) Saw

5) Peach

6) Key

Exceptions to vowels side-by-side Some Dipthongs don't follow this rule. The first vowel in Dipthongs like /oi/, /air/, /ear/

and /ou/ do not go long; they have become a totally different sound.

Examples of Exceptions Some Dipthongs don't follow this rule.

1) C/oi/n

2) F/ear/

3) D/ear/

4) Gl/ue/

5) S/aw/

6) D/oor/

Learning ActivityRead these words and hear the first vowel long.

1) Fee 6) Joey

2) Coat 7) Boon

3) Tail 8) Glue

4) Pie 9) Pause

5) Beach 10) Paw

Hint: Some may have more than one principle.

Discussion

What happens when vowels are side-by-side?

What's the exception?

In summary

The first vowel becomes long.

Dipthongs don't follow this rule.