The answer is that it depends on what purpose you have in assigning it, or what set of rules you are following. From the point of view of phonetics, the first thing to realise is that letters are not vowels or consonants: they represent sounds which may be vowels or consonants (and in the case of “y” possibly both).
What are the vowel sounds of the letter Y?
Typically, “y” at the beginning of the word makes the consonant /y/ sound. The “y” also has two vowel sounds. Normally, in a one-syllable word the “y” at the end of the word makes the long “i” sound as in the following words: cry, fry, try. Finally, in a two-syllable word the “y” at the end of the word makes a long “e” sound as in baby and city.
Is the letter Y in the middle of a syllable?
The letter is in the middle of a syllable: system, borborygmus. In such cases, the letter y is pronounced as either the long vowel e or short or long i (usually as a long i when ending a word)—and, for all intents and purposes, it is a vowel.
When do you use Y as a consonant?
In names such as Maloney or Murray, the Y is a consonant, because the vowel sound depends upon the long E in Maloney and the long A in Murray. In general, the Y is a consonant when the syllable already has a vowel. Also, the Y is considered a consonant when it is used in place of the soft J sound, such as in the name Yolanda or Yoda.
Is the letter W a vowel or a consonant?
The letters Y and W can be regarded as vowels and consonants both. Therefore we call them Semi-Vowels. The function of a vowel is to produce sound while pronouncing a word whereas a consonant is a basic speech sound when the breath is partly obstructed. Examples of Semi Vowels Words
When does the letter Y make a vowel sound?
Sometimes the letter y makes a vowel sound. Say each group of words aloud and listen to the sound made by the letter y. In these words the letter y makes a consonant sound. In both these sets the sound of the letter y is a vowel sound. yo-yo.
There are only two instances when you use “y” as a consonant: when it begins a word, and when it begins a syllable. If a word begins with “y,” it’s using the /y/ consonant sound. While there aren’t too many words that start with “y,” there are enough to understand the rule. Take a look at some common words that use “y” as their initial sound:
The letter is in the middle of a syllable: system, borborygmus. In such cases, the letter y is pronounced as either the long vowel e or short or long i (usually as a long i when ending a word)—and, for all intents and purposes, it is a vowel.
The letters Y and W can be regarded as vowels and consonants both. Therefore we call them Semi-Vowels. The function of a vowel is to produce sound while pronouncing a word whereas a consonant is a basic speech sound when the breath is partly obstructed. Examples of Semi Vowels Words
