2007-12-07 23:31:17 · 6 answers · asked by hortoryman 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The first answer was correct, that we have SIXvowels --that is, letters to mark vowel-sounds-- in the English alphabet. But your question is very reasonable, in that the typical English dialect has about FIFTEEN distinct vowel sounds, and the limited number of letters we have to represent them can complicate things (since the same letters have to represent more than one sound).
The reason? Basically, that the "English alphabet" is not BASED on English. It is a borrowing of the LATIN alphabet which does not have as many vowel sounds, so doesn't need the extra letters. English speakers and writers simply adapted as best they could.
http://www.antimoon.com/how/pronunc-soundsipa.htm
http://faculty.washington.edu/dillon/PhonResources/newstart.html
2007-12-08 13:36:11 · answer #1 · answered by bruhaha 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Who do you mean by 'we'? Do you mean English-speakers? If so, you really need to include w and y, which can both be used as vowels (technically speaking, they can both be used as vowels in English, and are definitely vowels in Welsh). Of course, other languages really need more, especially Central European ones, which is why there are so many accents.
2007-12-08 12:56:16 · answer #2 · answered by derfini 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
6 "Y"
because we use them to make words to communicate with each other
2007-12-08 07:34:49 · answer #3 · answered by the survivor 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
because they are sufficient to make all words and all pronunciation by repeating them also.
2007-12-08 13:38:28 · answer #4 · answered by Manz 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I've got no idea but I do know why 'Edward Woodward' has four D's in his name.....
because....
without them........
he would be......
E war Woo war
2007-12-08 07:39:27 · answer #5 · answered by RedMistPete 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
i dont know
2007-12-08 07:38:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋