Vowels: Short and Long

Vowel Sounds

a – cup, ago

ā – father, bother    *comparison*    parāta    (accent on ā)
                            amīcā parātā



e – pet, let

ē – they, lay        *comparison*   cīvēs decem
                            dēbēmus succurrere


i – it, pitiful

ī -  machine, weeds    *comparison* audībit ignem
                            dictō dīligentia


o – off, dog

ō – clover, boat        *comparison* omnipotēns ōrātor
                            optima ōrātiō

u – put, book

ū – rude, moose        *comparison* lupus ūnus
                            mūrus ūllus

**this is according to many restored classical pronunciations. I know there are many options for pronunciation, these are the ones I use, as well as what is found in Wheelock, Oxford Latin and other pronunciation guides.

Vowels: Dipthongs

Dipthongs and Sounds

ae – aisle, style
                    
au – house, cow

ei – reign, vain

oe – oil, coil

(eu) – short e + short u

(ui) – gooey, Spanish: muy (1 fast syllable)

Link to Location in Mouth

This link takes you to a great little linguistic site.  You can track the pronunciations in the sample words provided.

http://www.icalweb.com/wiki/index.php?title=Vowels
(image is taken from that site)