What kind of sounds do vowels consist of?

Vowels are characterized as voiced sounds that are produced without a significant blockage of airflow in the vocal tract. This means that during vowel production, the vocal cords vibrate (indicating they are voiced), and the oral cavity is typically open, allowing for unobstructed airflow. This lack of blockage differentiates vowels from consonants, which either have a blockage point or modify airflow in some way.

In the context of vowel production, the positioning of the tongue, the shape of the lips, and other articulatory features influence the quality of the vowel sound but do not involve complete closure or significant constriction. Therefore, the correct classification of vowels as voiced sounds without blockage points captures their essential acoustic properties and phonetic behaviors.