Practising vowels: /i:/ and /ɪ/

These are "i" vowel sounds.

In Spanish there is only one "i" vowel, which sounds practically the same in all words and positions.

Some examples in Spanish: isla, Irene, maní, amarillo, ceibo, Daniela, Luis, minuto.

In English, on the other hand, there are two sounds for "i": /i:/ and /ɪ/. Let's start with /i:/: this is a long, close front sound. It is produced with lips in relaxed, neutral position, open enough to allow the air to come out of the mouth cavity. You should feel tension inside the mouth, and this is the key to produce /i:/ correctly: the tongue will be in the higher position, almost touching the alveolar ridge (just behind your upper teeth). You should "feel" this vowel sound in the front part of the mouth cavity.

Some examples: believe, green, leave, even, three, reincarnate.

The other vowel sound is /ɪ/, which is a short, half close and a little more open sound. It is produced with relaxed, neutral lips, and it is so short that you won't feel any tension at all. It should be felt a little further back than /i:/ in your mouth cavity.

Examples: rich,  igloo, pretty, lips, sister, image, Phil.

Tip: I think these are difficult sounds for Spanish speakers. I suggest you practise these vowels "exaggerating" them, that is, by making /i:/ quite tense, and long, and /ɪ/, as short as possible.

I hope this has been useful. Feel free to comment, or suggest some topic for further discussion. Thank you!