Vowels are the indispensable backbone of the English language. We use the five specific vowel letters—A, E, I, O, U—every day, yet each one possesses a unique linguistic personality and impact on our culture and communication.
A: The Alpha and the Motivator
A is arguably the most popular and versatile letter in the alphabet. It represents an impressive seven different vowel sounds and holds the distinction of being the first letter, literally the alpha of our entire alphabet. Culturally, 'A' signifies pre-eminence, appearing as the highest academic grade (A-list), and featuring in popular culture (The A-Team). Some scientists even suggest that the letter 'A' has an entrenched motivating impact that can improve performance. Playful and fun to pronounce, 'A' features in words like llama, aardvark, and jazz hands. Interestingly, if you spell out every number from one upwards, you wouldn't use an 'A' until you reach 1,000.
E: The Grounded and the Essential
In contrast, E is the most grounded and essential vowel. It is the only vowel in our most-used word, "the," and is the most frequently used letter in the entire English alphabet, appearing in 11% of all words we use. Due to overuse, it is the second most likely key to break on a keyboard. 'E' is essential for storytelling as it allows us to write in the past tense. When found in words related to the natural world, it takes a deep interest in elements such as green, stems, and trees.
I: The Self-Obsessed and the Active
I is highly concerned with its appearance and self-identity. It was the first letter to receive a dot in its lowercase form and is the only letter that is always capitalized when on its own. It is the first word in the shortest complete sentence in English: "I am." The letter 'I' is great for active verbs and appears in a host of words related to excess and desire, such as kissing, drinking, and hitting, without which illicit thrills would be hard to articulate.
O: The Universal and the Mysterious
Out of all the vowel symbols, O is the one that appears the most frequently in other languages, even those that developed completely independently. This is believed to be because the circular shape of the letter 'O' mirrors the shape of the mouth when the sound is made. This constant, circular shape with no beginning or end gives rise to some of our most mysterious and spooky words, including moon, horror, ghosts, groans, and bones.
U: The Scientific and the Supportive
U is the most scientific of the vowels, partly due to its late position in the alphabet. It is often an abbreviation for university and uranium, and is linked to submarines. 'U' provides us with both pleasant and unpleasant words. It is highly supportive, often working well with other letters. While it can be completely silent when it chooses, 'U' is present in most instances where three vowels appear together in a row, effectively holding the group together.
In summary, the vowels are essential to everyday life, each packed with personality and critical to language. The simple truth is that you can't speak English without them.
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