DEfinition and characteristics of diphthong

1. DIPHTHONG
English Phonology

2. soraya/phonology
Do you
remember? • Kinds of
vowels
• English vowel
sounds
• Characteristics
of English
vowels

3. Diphthong
A diphthong is a single
sound produces when
two vowels, one
dominant in duration
and stress, are paired
together in sequence.
It is double vowels
and the process of the
production involves
the movement of the
tongue (glide) from
one vowel position to
another
Represented
phonetically by two
letters. The first
showing the starting
point and the second
indicating the
direction of the
movement.
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4. Kinds of Diphthong
1. Closing diphthong
• The position
directs to the
close vowels
• e.g. ei, ai, oi, au, ou
2. Centering
Diphthong
• The position
moves to the
center vowels
• e.g. iǝ, eǝ, oǝ, uǝ
In all cases, the first vowel is longer in duration and exhibit
more stress.soraya/phonology

5. Closing Diphthong
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6. Centering Diphthongs
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7. About Diphthongs
• It is important to note that the close combination of
the two vowels causes each of the vowel to lose it’s
purity.
• Diphthongs can be found in both open and closed
syllables.
• In phonological patterns, diphthongs are labeled
using a single vowel symbol because they act as one
sound.
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