What is a diphthong?

A diphthong (also known as a gliding vowel) is a sound made by combining two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable. The word diphthong itself comes from the Greek δίφθογγος (diphthongos), meaning "having two sounds" or "having two tones."

Here's a breakdown:

• Definition: A diphthong is a sequence of two vowels pronounced in a single, uninterrupted glide. The tongue moves during the pronunciation of the sound.

• Formation: Diphthongs are formed when the tongue starts in the position for one vowel and smoothly moves towards the position of another. This creates a sound that is a blend of the two vowels.

• Examples: Common examples of diphthongs in English include the vowels in words like "boy" (/ɔɪ/), "cow" (/aʊ/), and "face" (/eɪ/). Other languages have their own sets of diphthongs.

• Relationship to Monophthongs: Diphthongs contrast with <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/monophthongs">monophthongs</a>, which are single vowel sounds that do not involve movement of the tongue.

• Transcription: In the <a href="https://www.wikiwhat.page/kavramlar/international%20phonetic%20alphabet">International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)</a>, diphthongs are typically transcribed using two symbols, representing the starting and ending vowel positions.

• Variations: The precise pronunciation of diphthongs can vary depending on the dialect and accent of the speaker. The starting and ending vowel positions may be different in different varieties of a language.