Editing Vowel (section)

=== Secondary narrowings in the vocal tract ===
{{Main|Pharyngealization}}
[[Pharyngealisation|Pharyngealized vowels]] occur in some languages like [[Sedang language|Sedang]] and the [[Tungusic languages]]. Pharyngealisation is similar in articulation to retracted tongue root but is [[acoustics|acoustically]] distinct.

A stronger degree of pharyngealisation occurs in the [[Northeast Caucasian languages]] and the [[Khoisan languages]]. They might be called '''epiglottalized''' since the primary constriction is at the tip of the epiglottis.

The greatest degree of pharyngealisation is found in the '''[[strident vowel]]s''' of the Khoisan languages, where the [[larynx]] is raised, and the pharynx constricted, so that either the epiglottis or the [[arytenoid cartilage]]s vibrate instead of the vocal cords.

The terms ''pharyngealized'', ''epiglottalized'', ''strident'', and ''sphincteric'' are sometimes used interchangeably.

==== Rhotic vowels ====
{{Main|R-colored vowel}}
[[R-colored vowel|Rhotic vowels]] are the "R-colored vowels" of American English and a few other languages.