In phonetic terms, what are all vowels considered to be?

In phonetic terms, all vowels are considered to be voiced sounds. This is because producing vowels requires the vocal cords to vibrate as air passes through the glottis. This voicing is essential in the articulation of vowels and distinguishes them from unvoiced sounds, where the vocal cords do not vibrate.

Vowels are characterized by an open vocal tract, which allows for the free flow of air without the significant constriction that characterizes consonants. Each vowel sound can be described by its qualities such as height, backness, and roundedness, but voicing remains a fundamental aspect as all vowel sounds are produced with the vocal cords engaged.

The other categories mentioned, such as unvoiced sounds, consonants, and fricatives, describe different aspects of phonetics and sound production. Unvoiced sounds are produced without vocal cord vibration, consonants involve varying degrees of constriction, and fricatives are specific types of consonants that create noise through turbulent airflow. Understanding that all vowels are voiced helps distinguish them from other sound categories in phonetics.