1. English Diphthongs ENG 115 Prof. K. Horowitz

2. Index Objectives Introduction Diphthongs/Monothongs Diphthong Chart Try Your Luck! Practice Exercises Useful Links

3. 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.

4. Introduction

5. 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.

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

7. English has three diphthongs: [aI] is pronounced “ay.” –EX: Fly, bai le [a ʊ ] is pronounced “ow.” –EX: Brown, found [ ɔɪ ] is pronounced “oy.” Ex: Boy, join

8. Diphthong Chart

9. Try Your Luck

10. Exercises Correctly identify the diphthong in the following words. A.B. 1. I1. why 2. ivy2. brown 3. dine3. boil 4. oil4. town 5. mouse5. toy 6. sky6. hour 7. coin7. ride 8. point8. lie 9. mouth9. joy 10. five10. enjoy

11. 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."University of Iowa Easton’s American English Pronunciation: A great site with plenty of information about vowel and consonant pronunciation, as well as some great practice exercises.Easton’s American English Pronunciation

12. Tim’s ESL Site: Raritan Valley Community College Phonetic practice page.Tim’s ESL Site Fonetiks.org: The online language library.Fonetiks.org American English Vowels: Michigan State University site with exercises.American English Vowels

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

14. Success!

15. Incorrect! Please Try Again.