5 Questions
Explain the difference between closing diphthongs and centering diphthongs in terms of degree of aperture and tongue involvement.
Closing diphthongs involve a decrease in the degree of aperture with the glide, meaning the second vowel is closer than the first. Centering diphthongs involve the tongue gliding towards the central vowel schwa, with the second vowel being /ə/.
What is the distribution of the centering diphthong /ıə/ in terms of positions, and how is it represented in spelling?
The centering diphthong /ıə/ is distributed in all positions (initial, medial, final) and is represented in spelling as ea(r), eir, and ier.
Provide examples of exceptions in spelling for the representation of diphthongs.
Exceptions in spelling for diphthongs include ia (media, labia, genial), eu (museum), iu (delirium), eo (theory, theology), and e (hero, serious, serial).
What is the specific position in which the centering diphthong /eə/ is found?
The centering diphthong /eə/ is found in all basic positions (initial, medial, final).
Define a diphthong and explain the characteristic movement involved in its production.
A diphthong is the union of two pure vowels during which a glide (movement) is made from the first vowel point of articulation towards the second.
Test your knowledge of English diphthongs with this quiz. Learn about the formation and categorization of diphthongs in the English language.
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