Vowels: Comparing oi sound and ow sound

Listen to the oi sound
Listen to the ow sound

The oi sound and ow sound are both two-sound vowels.

Compare the oi sound and ow sound

oi sound/ow sound part one illustration	oi sound/ow sound part two illustration

The oi sound begins with the body of the tongue low and the back of it raised to a middle position. Also, the jaw is more closed than the beginning of the ow sound. The ow sound, with the jaw in a lower position, begins with the center of the tongue dropped into the bottom teeth.

The oi sound transitions into a sound similar to a y sound, with the body of the tongue lifting toward the front of the hard palate. In contrast, the ow sound transitions into a sound similar to a w sound, with the jaw closing as the back of the tongue lifts to a mid-high position while the lips close into a loose circle.

oi sound		ow sound
oil boy foil		owl bow foul

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