What is the distinction between short and long vowels?

A. Short vowels are pronounced quickly, while long vowels are pronounced for a longer duration.
B. Short vowels are used in writing, while long vowels are used in speaking.
C. Short vowels are only found in one-syllable words, while long vowels are in multi-syllable words.
D. Short vowels are vowels at the beginning of a word, and long vowels are vowels at the end of a word.

Short vowels are pronounced quickly, while long vowels are pronounced for a longer duration. The distinction is based on the duration of the vowel sounds.

Explanation:

The distinction between short and long vowels is based on their duration. In most languages, including English, there is a two-way distinction between short vowels and long vowels. Short vowels are pronounced quickly and have a shorter duration, while long vowels are pronounced for a longer duration.

For example, in English, the word 'bit' has a short vowel /ɪ/ and the word 'beat' has a long vowel /iː/. The short vowel in 'bit' is pronounced quickly, while the long vowel in 'beat' is held for a longer duration.

The duration of vowels can also vary depending on the consonants that follow them. English vowels are often pronounced a bit longer before voiced consonants than before voiceless consonants.