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)