Page:AnEssayTowardsARealCharacterAndAPhilosophicalLanguage.pdf/398
Amongſt theſe, the Vowels not commonly owned by us in writing, are theſe four, ɑ, ɩ, ȣ, ỿ. But that they are diſtinct ſpecies of Vowels, and have peculiar powers of their own, not expreſſible by any other Letters, (ſuppoſing every Letter (as it ought) to be determined to one particular ſound) may ſufficiently appear from the above mentioned, and ſeveral other Inſtances. And that thoſe two which are commonly uſed with us for diſtinct Vowels; namely, the third and the fifth, I, and U; as in the words Light, Lute, are not ſimple Vowels, but Dipthongs, I ſhall ſhew afterwards.
Though the Vowel (O) do not admit of any inſtance in our Language, wherein it is uſed Short, nor the Vowel (ỿ) wherein it is uſed Long; yet there are naturally ſuch differences of theſe Vowels, as well as of the reſt. Suppoſe a long Vowel to be divided into two parts; as Bo-ote, pronounce it then with half the time, and it muſt make the ſhort Vowel Bote. And thus on the contrary, doubling the time of a ſhort Vowel, as Bỿ-ỿt, will render it Long: which may ſerve to explain how theſe Vowels naturally are capable of being made both long and ſhort; Though by reaſon of general diſuſe amongſt us, ſuch differences would at firſt ſeem ſomewhat difficult, and not eaſily diſtinguiſhable.
The Vowel (ɑ) is placed firſt; partly partly in conformity with other Alphabets, and becauſe 'tis the moſt Apert amongſt the Lingua-palatal Vowels. 'Tis expreſſed by this Character, becauſe being one of the Greek Letters, 'tis more commonly known. 'Tis framed by an emiſſion of the Breath, betwixt the Tongue and the Palate; the tongue being put into a more concave poſture, and removed further off from the palate.
The Vowel (a) is framed by an emiſſion of the Breath, betwixt the tongue and the concave of the palate; the upper ſuperficies of the tongue being rendered leſs concave, and at a leſs diſtance from the palate.
The Vowel (e) is framed by an emiſſion of the Breath, betwixt the tongue and the concave of the palate, the upper superficies of the tongue being brought to ſome ſmall degree of convexity.
The Vowel (ɩ) is expreſſed by this Character, becauſe 'tis the moſt ſimple figure; and therefore doth beſt ſuit with the moſt acute Letter; as likewiſe, becauſe this Letter, amongſt many other Nations is already uſed and pronounced according to the ſound which is here intended. 'Tis framed by an emiſſion of the Breath betwixt the tongue and the concave of the palate, the upper ſuperficies of the tongue being put into a more convex poſture, and thruſt up near the palate.
The Vowel (o) is the firſt, and moſt apert of the Labials; being framed by an emiſſion of the Breath, betwixt the Lips, a little drawn together and contracted.
The Vowel (ȣ) is the ſecond of the Labials, requiring a greater contraction of the Lips. 'Tis expreſſed by this Character, which is uſed in Greek for ου Dipthong; becauſe commonly that Dipthong, as alſo the French ou is pronounced in the ſound of this ſimple Vowel.
The Vowel (ỿ) is wholly Guttural, being an emiſſion of the breath from the throat, without any particular motion of the tongue or lips. 'Tis expreſſed by this Character which is alraedy appropriated by the Welſh for the picture of this ſound.