A theoretical study of English and Arabic vowels with reference to cardinal vowels

الملخص EN

This paper focuses on the vowels of English and standard Arabic (SA).

It is concerned specifically with the differences and similarities in pronunciation of the vowels of the two languages.

The researcher has found, through her working in teaching phonetics at university level that many of Iraqi students may confuse or rather do not recognize the difference in pronunciation of the vowels between their native language and the English ones.

Thus, they may mispronounce the English vowels since some of them seem to be similar to their native language.

It is hoped that this study will help both the teachers and students or learners of English in a better understanding the true nature of vowels of their own language.

Besides, such comparison between the two languages needs to refer to a standard system which enable us to state the exact production of the sound.

Hence, this study sheds light on the cardinal vowels system and its relationship to the English and Arabic vowels.