Diphthongs

DIPHTHONGS

/ˈdɪfθɒŋz/ or /ˈdɪpθɒŋz/

The 7 short vowels and 5 long vowels of English are called monophthongs /ˈmɒnƏfθɒŋz/. This means that there is one pure vowel sound.

English also has eight diphthongs. These are classed as one sound, with one symbol. However, a diphthong actually involves two vowel sounds, with one vowel gliding smoothly to the other. The first vowel is louder and longer; the second, quieter and shorter. There are only three diphthongs in Czech, whereas English has eight. Glide smoothly from one sound to another; do not say two individual monophthongs. A common mistake when learning English is to use a pure vowel instead of a diphthong. Contrast: hop-hope; gone-go; bee-beer; red-rare; bore-boy

It is easier to remember them in two groups: centring and closing. They are defined by the finishing position (not the starting position).

EIGHT DIPHTHONGS

centring closing

ending in /Ə/ ending in /ɪ/ ending in /ʊ/

/eƏ/ /ɪƏ/ /ʊƏ/ /eɪ/ /aɪ/ /ɔɪ/ /aʊ/ /Əʊ/

The symbols are difficult to remember so practise copying them out a few times. Note that there are no length marks in diphthong symbols. Take care to write each symbol 100% correctly.

/eƏ/ NOT ea/ /eɪ/ NOT /ei/ /aʊ/ NOT /ɑʊ/

/ɪƏ/ NOT /ɪe/ /aɪ/ NOT / ɑɪ/ /Əʊ/ NOT /eʊ/

/ʊƏ/ NOT /uƏ/ /ɔɪ/ NOT /oɪ/

1. What is this sound? /eƏ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

bear care dare fare/fair hair/hare pear/pair tear wear/where (rip eg cloth/paper)

2. What is this sound? /ɪƏ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

beer dear/deer fear hear/here near peer/pier tear (from crying)

3.What is this sound? /ʊƏ/

This sound is gradually disappearing from English and being replaced by the diphthong /ɔː/

Say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

pure lure sure

4. What is this sound? /eɪ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

bay day hay lay may say way

5. What is this sound? /aɪ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

buy/bye/by die/dye high lie my sigh tie why

Now say these words:

6. What is this sound? /ɔɪ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

boy boil coy coil noise ploy Roy toy

7. What is this sound? /aʊ/

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

bow/bough cow how mouth now noun sow south

8.What is this sound? /Əʊ/

Write down two words which contain this sound:

Now say these words below. Underline the diphthong sound in each word.

bow bone doe/dough go low lone show toe/tow tone

(and arrow)

Note: Some words have one spelling but have more than one pronuciation, depending on the meaning.

For example: tear = /teƏ/ and/tɪƏ/ bow =/baʊ/ and /bƏʊ/