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HOW TO PRONOUNCE DIPHTHONGS - Vowel Sounds - British English

Education

Introduction

Introduction

An essential part of making English sound authentic is pronouncing diphthongs correctly. In this article, we will explore the eight diphthong sounds, share special tricks to pronounce them, and discuss how native speakers use these sounds in fast speech.

What is a Diphthong?

Diphthongs are vowel combinations where two vowel sounds merge into one syllable. The sound is created by smoothly gliding from one vowel sound to another without any pause. Importantly, even though there are two sounds, the diphthong is perceived as one sound, with the first sound being slightly longer than the second.

The Eight Diphthongs

The eight diphthongs in British English are:

  1. ear (as in "fear")
  2. air (as in "hair")
  3. pure (as in "cure")
  4. a (as in "main")
  5. oi (as in "boy")
  6. I (as in "my")
  7. o (as in "no")
  8. owl (as in "how")

Practicing Each Diphthong

1. Ear

To pronounce "ear," start with the short vowel sound “e,” then glide to the schwa sound “uh.” The movement looks like:
e → uh → ear
Practice with pairs: fit - fear, Yin - year.

2. Air

Begin with the short vowel sound “e” and glide to the schwa sound “uh”:
e → uh → air
Try this with pairs: head - hair, red - rare.

3. Pure

Start with the short vowel sound “uh” and glide to “uh”:
uh → uh → pure
Practice with pairs: put - pure, could - cure.

4. A

For the diphthong “a,” begin with “e” and glide to “e”:
e → e → a
Practice with pairs: men - main.

5. Oi

Start with sound “or” and glide to “a”:
or → a → oy
Practice with pairs: ball - joy, tall - toy.

6. I

Glide from “ah” to “e”:
ah → e → I
Practice with pairs: sun - sign, fun - fine.

7. O

Begin with the schwa sound “uh” and glide to “oh”:
uh → oh
Practice with words like “no” and “go.”

8. Owl

Start with “ah” and glide to “uh”:
ah → uh → ow
Practice with words like “now” and “how.”

Key Points

  • When using diphthongs in fast speech, the mouth and jaw may not always return to a neutral position, but the sounds will still maintain their familiar sound.
  • Practicing in front of a mirror can help observe mouth movements during pronunciation.

Keyword

  • Diphthongs
  • Pronunciation
  • Vowel sounds
  • British English
  • Phonemes
  • Speech patterns
  • Practice pairs

FAQ

What are diphthongs?
Diphthongs are vowel combinations that create a single sound by gliding between two vowel sounds within one syllable.

How do I practice diphthongs?
You can practice by repeating pairs of words that contain diphthongs, preferably in front of a mirror to observe your mouth movements.

Are diphthongs important for clear English pronunciation?
Yes, mastering diphthongs is crucial for authentic-sounding English pronunciation and understanding.

Can diphthongs change in fast speech?
Yes, diphthongs may sound different or blend together in rapid speech, but maintaining the series of sounds will help in being understood.

How can I improve my diphthong pronunciation?
Consistent practice with feedback, observing mouth movements, and listening to native speakers can greatly help improve your pronunciation.