Lip rounding is more essential for lip reading than for sound production.
- In English, there is a general tendency to round the lips for the back vowels. Try it and see...
- "soon"
- "stood"
- "sow"
- "saw"
- "sod"
- Alternately, we relatively draw the lips back for the front vowels. Try that too:
- "beat"
- "bit"
- "bait"
- "bet"
- "bat"
- Now for a fun experience say the back vowels (starting with "soon,") but make your lips draw back, as in a broad smile. It feels funny but with a little practice, you can do it. Try the front vowels above (starting with "beat") but purse your lips forward (i.e.,round your lips).