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Diphthong
01
(phonetics) a gliding speech sound formed by the combination of two vowels in a single syllable
What is a "diphthong"?
A diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins with one vowel sound and glides into another within the same syllable. It involves a noticeable change in the quality of the vowel sound during its pronunciation. In English, examples of diphthongs include sounds like "ai" in "rain," "ou" in "out," and "oy" in "boy." Diphthongs are important in phonetics because they add variety to vowel sounds and can affect the meaning of words. Understanding diphthongs is essential for accurate pronunciation and phonetic transcription in language.
diphthong
n
diphthongize
v
diphthongize
v
Example
The Spanish language includes several diphthongs that blend vowels smoothly.
Understanding diphthongs helps in mastering pronunciation in foreign languages.
Linguists study the distribution and evolution of diphthongs across different languages.
Learning to pronounce diphthongs accurately is important for clear communication.
