Diphthongs
The differences between monophthongs and diphthongs are:
• A monophthong is when there is only one vowel sound in
a syllable. A diphthong is the combination of two vowel sounds
together.
• Monophthongs are transcribed with the International Phonetic
Alphabet, with just one symbol, for example [ʊ]. While diphthongs
are transcribed with two symbols, for example [aʊ].
A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one
vowel and glides into another within the same syllable.
Comes from Greek: "di-" (two) + "phthongos" (sound) = "two
sounds"
They are different from monophthongs, which have a single,
stable vowel sound.
Example: In the word "boy", the /ɔɪ/ sound glides from /ɔ/ to /ɪ/.
Characteristics of Diphthongs
One syllable, two vowel sounds.
Smooth and connected transition.
Often described as gliding vowels.
Affects the intonation and rhythm of speech.
Diphthongs
Diphthongs are sounds which consist of a movement from one vowel
to another. A vowel which remains constant and does not move is
called a pure vowel.
In terms of length, diphthongs are similar to the long vowels. Perhaps
the most important thing to remember about all the diphthongs is that
the first part is much longer and stronger than the second part; for
example, most of the diphthong aɪ (as in the words ‘eye, ‘I’) consists of
the a vowel, and only in about the last quarter of the diphthong does
the move to ɪ become noticeable. As the move to ɪ happens, the
loudness of the sound decreases. As a result, the ɪ part is shorter and
quieter.
• The total number of diphthongs is eight
• The centering diphthongs glide towards the ə (schwa) vowel, as the
symbols indicate.
ɪə (example words: 'beard’, 'weird' ’fierce’)
eə (example words: ‘hair’, ‘wear’) This diphthong begins with a vowel
sound that is more open than the e of 'get’, ’men’.
ʊə (example words: ‘tour’ ’cure’) For speakers who have this
diphthong, this has a starting point similar to ʊ in ‘put’, 'pull’. Many
speakers pronounce ɔ: instead.
The closing diphthongs have the characteristic that they all end with a
glide towards a closer vowel. The important thing is that a glide from a
relatively more open towards a relatively closer vowel is produced.
Three of the diphthongs glide towards ɪ, as described below:
eɪ (example words: 'paid' ‘pain’, ’face’) The starting point is the same as
the e of 'get, ‘men!
aɪ (example words: 'tide, 'time, ‘nice’) This diphthong begins with an
open vowel which is between front and back; it is quite similar to the ʌ
of the words ‘cut’, ‘bun’. Hide find might mice right
ɔɪ (example words: void, boy, voice) The first part of this diphthong is
slightly more open than ɔ: in ‘ought, ‘born.
Two diphthongs glide towards ʊ, so that as the tongue moves closer to
the roof of the mouth there is at the same time a rounding movement
of the lips. This movement is not a large one, again because the second
part of the diphthong is weak.
əʊ (example words: load, home, most) The vowel position for the
beginning of this is the same as for the “schwa” vowel a, as found in
the first syllable of the word ‘about' The lips may be slightly rounded in
anticipation of the glide towards ʊ, for which there is quite noticeable
lip-rounding.
aʊ (example words: loud, gown, house) This diphthong begins with a
vowel similar to aɪ. Since this is an open vowel, a glide to ʊ would
necessitate a large movement, and the tongue often does not reach
the ʊ position. There is only slight lip-rounding.
Watch the video: [Link]
Diphthong Sounds
Here are the eight diphthong sounds:
phonetic symbol common letters example words
ɑι i, igh, y crime, light, byte
eι ea, ey, ay, ai, a break, prey, pray, braid, ache
əʊ ow, oa, ough slow, moan, dough
ɑʊ ou, ow hound, crown
eə ai, ea lair, bear
ιə ee, ie, ea jeer, pier, near
ɔι oy, oi boy, oil
ʊə u pure
Exercises
• Write the symbols for the following diphthongs:
a) fright aɪ
b) home əʊ
c) clear ɪə
d) cow aʊ
e) Cry aɪ
f) Bake eɪ
g) Brown aʊ
h) Foil ɔɪ
i) Now aʊ
j) Lay eɪ lie laɪ
k) Loan əʊ
l) Bound aʊ
