English Diphthongs

ENG 115Prof. K. Horowitz

Index

• Objectives• Introduction• Diphthongs/

Monothongs• Diphthong Chart• Try Your Luck!• Practice Exercises• Useful Links

Objectives

• This module is designed to give second language learners some insight into the three diphthongs of the English language, as well as allow them practice in both pronunciation and writing.

Introduction

Diphthongs/Monothongs

• No discussion of English vowels is complete unless it includes diphthongs. A diphthong is a complex vowel, made of two components; a diphthong begins as one vowel and finishes as another.

• The diphthongs are not present on the vowel chart because they begin at one sound and end at another. This means that they aren’t produced in a single location in the mouth, but through a combination of movements of the tongue and airflow.

• English has three diphthongs:• [aI] is pronounced “ay.”

– EX: Fly, bai le

• [aʊ ] is pronounced “ow.”– EX: Brown, found

• [ɔɪ] is pronounced “oy.”• Ex: Boy, join

Diphthong Chart

Try Your Luck

Exercises• Correctly identify the diphthong in the following

words.• A. B. • 1. I 1. why• 2. ivy 2. brown• 3. dine 3. boil• 4. oil 4. town• 5. mouse 5. toy• 6. sky 6. hour• 7. coin 7. ride• 8. point 8. lie• 9. mouth 9. joy • 10. five 10. enjoy

Useful Links

• Here are some sites on the Internet that can help you with these exercises, as well as those done in class.

• University of Iowa: A site with an excellent area devoted to vowel and consonant sounds. Click on "launch English library."

• Easton’s American English Pronunciation: A great site with plenty of information about vowel and consonant pronunciation, as well as some great practice exercises.

• Tim’s ESL Site: Raritan Valley Community College Phonetic practice page.

• Fonetiks.org: The online language library.

• American English Vowels: Michigan State University site with exercises.

• You did a great job! Be sure to try out the other modules for all the American vowels and consonants.

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