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Long Vowels Diphthongs and Triphthongs

The document discusses vowels, diphthongs, and triphthongs in English phonology. It explains that vowels are sounds produced without obstruction of air flow from the mouth. There are short and long vowels. Diphthongs are a movement from one vowel sound to another, and there are eight diphthongs in English. Triphthongs are a glide between three vowel sounds in rapid succession, formed from a diphthong combined with a schwa sound. Examples of triphthongs and their constituent diphthongs are provided.

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392 views18 pages

Long Vowels Diphthongs and Triphthongs

The document discusses vowels, diphthongs, and triphthongs in English phonology. It explains that vowels are sounds produced without obstruction of air flow from the mouth. There are short and long vowels. Diphthongs are a movement from one vowel sound to another, and there are eight diphthongs in English. Triphthongs are a glide between three vowel sounds in rapid succession, formed from a diphthong combined with a schwa sound. Examples of triphthongs and their constituent diphthongs are provided.

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Dr.Eman Linguistics
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© © All Rights Reserved
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English Phonology

LONG VOWELS, DIPHTHONGS AND


TRIPHTHONGS
WHAT ARE VOWELS?

 In the English language, the letters

“a,” “e,” “i,”, “o,” “u”


and sometimes “y” are called vowels.
 When you speak, you let out air through your mouth.
 Vowels make the sounds that come when the air
leaving your mouth isn’t blocked by anything (like
your teeth or your tongue).
 They are formed by moving your lips to different
shapes.

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


SHORT VOWELS

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Let’s Practice Short Vowels

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Let’s Practice Short Vowels

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Let’s Practice Short Vowels

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Short Vowels

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Long Vowels

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Long Vowels

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Diphthongs

 BBC pronunciation has a large number of diphthongs


 Diphthongs are sounds which consist of a movement
or glide from one vowel to another.
 A vowel which remains constant and does not glide is
called a pure vowel.
 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 glide to ɪ
become noticeable.
 As the glide to ɪ happens, the loudness of the sound
decreases. As a result, the ɪ part is shorter and quieter.

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Diphthongs

•The total number of diphthongs is eight


•They can be divided in three groups as in the diagram:

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Centering Diphthongs

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Closing Diphthongs

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Closing Diphthongs

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Triphthongs

 A triphthong is a glide from one vowel to another


and then to a third, all produced rapidly and without
interruption.
 The triphthongs can be looked on as being composed
of the five closing diphthongs described in the
last section, with ə added on the end. Thus we get:

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Triphthongs

 eɪ+ ə =
 aɪ+ ə =
 ɔɪ+ ə =
 əʊ + ə=
 aʊ + ə=

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Triphthongs

 eɪ+ ə = eɪə
 aɪ+ ə = aɪə
 ɔɪ+ ə = ɔɪə
 əʊ + ə= əʊə
 aʊ + ə= aʊə

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443


Triphthongs

 eɪ+ə = eɪə - example: ‘layer’, ‘player’


 aɪ+ə = aɪə - example: ‘liar’, ‘fire’
 ɔɪ+ə = ɔɪə - example: ‘loyal’, ‘royal’
 əʊ+ə= əʊə - example: ‘lower’, ‘mower’
 aʊ+ə= aʊə - example: ‘power’, ‘hour’

Dr. Eman Alhusaiyan 07/03/1443

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