In phonetics, what does 'e' typically represent?

The symbol 'e' in phonetics typically represents a mid front tense vowel. This classification is based on the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) usage, where the vowel is characterized by its mid-level height, front articulation, and tense quality, which indicates more muscular tension in the vocal tract compared to lax vowels.

In articulatory phonetics, a mid front tense vowel is articulated with the tongue positioned approximately halfway between open and closed and positioned towards the front of the mouth. This position is seen in languages where you can note the quality of the vowel distinctly, often found in words like "bait" in General American English, which has a similar sound.

Understanding the distinctions between tense and lax vowels is crucial, as it affects not only the sound quality but also how they function in vowel harmony and phonological rules in various languages.