Vowels: Compare long o/ow sound

Listen to the long o sound
Listen to the ow sound

The long o and ow sound can be difficult to distinguish between because both sounds are two-sound vowels that end in a slight w sound. The difference between the sounds occurs only at the beginning.

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Compare the long o and ow sound

The ow sound begins with the jaw semi-open and the center of the tongue pushed low between the bottom teeth. In contrast, the long o sound begins with the jaw in a neutral position and the tongue raised slightly higher.

Both sounds end in a slight w sound so the jaw must close (moreso for the ow sound, since it was more open to begin with) at the same time as the lips close into a small circle.

long o		ow sound
coach no/know tone		couch now town

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