Diphthongs are combinations of two vowels in a single syllable, known as gliding vowels. There are eight diphthong sounds categorized into closing diphthongs and centering diphthongs, each with specific lip movements during pronunciation. Examples include /ɪə/ in 'ear', /eɪ/ in 'maid', and /aʊ/ in 'cow'.

1. DIPHTHONG

2. INTRODUCTION
Di two
Thong tongue
Combination of two vowels in a single
syllable.
Known as gliding vowels.

3. DIPHTHONG SOUNDS
/ɪƏ/
Example : Ear , Deer.
/ƱƏ/
Example : Toward , Tour.
/eƏ/
Example : There , Care.

4. DIPHTHONG SOUNDS
/eɪ/
Exapmle : Maid , Pray.
/Ɔɪ/
Example : Boy , Enjoy.
/aɪ/
Example : Eye , Tie.

5. DIPHTHONG SOUNDS
/ƏƱ/
Example : Go , Slow.
/aƱ/
Example : Cow , Found.

7. DIPHTHONG SOUNDS
Of Eight Diphthongs –
Three Closing Diphthongs Glide Towards /ɪ/
Two Closing Diphthongs Glide Towards /Ʊ/
Three Centering Diphthongs Glide Towards /Ə/

8. CLOSING DIPHTHONGS
(5 SOUNDS)
• /eɪ/ : The lips are spread.
• /ɔɪ/ : The lips are open rounded at the beginning, change to
neutral towards the end.
• /aɪ/ : The lips have a neutral position at the beginning, but they
gradually change to a loosely spread position.
• /əʊ/ : The lips are neutral at the beginning of the glide, become
rounded towards the end.
• /aʊ/ : The lips are neutral at the beginning of the glide, become
rounded towards the end.

9. CENTERING DIPHTHONGS
(3 SOUNDS)
/ɪə/ : The lips are neutral throughout.
/Ʊə/ : The lips are loosely rounded at the beginning of the
glide and neutral at the end.
/eə/ : The lips are neutrally open throughout.