English Diphthongs

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English Diphthongs

• ENG 115
• Prof. K. Horowitz

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Index

• Objectives
• Introduction
• Diphthongs/Monothongs
• Diphthong Chart
• Try Your Luck!
• Practice Exercises
• Useful Links

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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.

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Introduction
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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.

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

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• English has three diphthongs
• aI is pronounced ay.
• EX Fly, bai le
• a? is pronounced ow.
• EX Brown, found
• ?? is pronounced oy.
• Ex Boy, join

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Diphthong Chart
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Try Your Luck
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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

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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."
• Eastons American English Pronunciation A great
  site with plenty of information about vowel and
  consonant pronunciation, as well as some great
  practice exercises.

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• Tims ESL Site Raritan Valley Community College
  Phonetic practice page.
• Fonetiks.org The online language library.
• American English Vowels Michigan State
  University site with exercises.

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

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Success!
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Incorrect! Please Try Again.