Now let us hear from the
OXFORD dictionary:
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.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
-----Original Message-----
From: "Shop at \" Just Brits \"" <shop@justbrits.com>
Sender: spridgets-bounces@autox.team.net
Date: Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:44:17
To: <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Spridgets] Bugeye rear ends 100-6 (Steel bonnet wanted)
<< Healey remains a 3 vowel word. >>
Indeed it does Chap, indeed it does !!!
LMAO at rest of 'commentary' tho, Guy !!!
Me
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