Eli5: What makes a vowel a vowel?

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In English, at least as I learned it 40 years ago, the vowels are a, e, i, o , u, and sometimes y. I know that every word must have a vowel. But, what IS a vowel. Why is “a” a vowel and “b” is not?
Muchas gracias.

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Vowels are letters, whose pronunciation don’t have what’s known as a plosive. A plosive is a sound that’s affected by either stopping or restricting the airflow in your mouth by your palate, lips, or teeth. Vowel sounds don’t include such restrictions but are rather created by adjusting the shape of your mouth.

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