Final answer:
Vowels are the category of speech sounds always voiced, contrasting with consonants which can be either voiced or voiceless. Understanding the importance of voicing and sonority in vowel classification is key in phonetics.
Explanation:
Vowels are a category of speech sounds that are always voiced. Unlike consonants, which can be voiced or voiceless, all vowels are voiced. This distinction is crucial when understanding the phonetics of speech sounds.
In the classification of speech sounds, vowels are defined by their sonority, which refers to the acoustic energy they possess. This contrasts with consonants, which have obstructions in the vocal tract.
When examining the nature of vowels, it is important to note that they are essential to syllables and do not have a clear place of articulation, making them sonorous and distinct from consonants.
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