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These letters are called vowels because their sounds are produced by the unobstructed passage of air through the mouth. It is the vocal cords that give the sound to the breath ('voice' it). The positions of the tongue and lips determine which vowel sound is produced.

In English, every word must contain at least one vowel (which may be 'y' as well as the five listed above).

The word 'vowel' derives from the Latin 'vocalis', which in turn derives from 'vox'/'vocis' (voice).

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15y ago

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