Diphthong

Template:Short description Template:More citations needed Template:Use dmy dates Template:IPA notice

American English pronunciation of "no highway cowboys" /noʊ ˈhaɪweɪ ˈkaʊbɔɪz/, showing five diphthongs: Template:IPAc-en

A diphthong (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell),<ref>Template:Cite dictionary</ref> also known as a gliding vowel or a vowel glide, is a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable.<ref>Template:Cite Merriam-Webster</ref> Technically, a diphthong is a vowel with two different targets: that is, the tongue (and/or other parts of the speech apparatus) moves during the pronunciation of the vowel. In most varieties of English, the phrase "no highway cowboys" (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell) has five distinct diphthongs, one in every syllable.

Diphthongs contrast with monophthongs, where the tongue or other speech organs do not move and the syllable contains only a single vowel sound. For instance, in English, the word ah is spoken as a monophthong (Template:IPAc-en), while the word ow is spoken as a diphthong in most varieties (Template:IPAc-en). Where two adjacent vowel sounds occur in different syllables (e.g. in the English word re-elect) the result is described as hiatus, not as a diphthong.

Diphthongs often form when separate vowels are run together in rapid speech during a conversation. However, there are also unitary diphthongs, as in the English examples above, which are heard by listeners as single-vowel sounds (phonemes).<ref name=Sil>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

The word comes Template:Etymology, Template:Etymology.

TranscriptionEdit

In the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), monophthongs are transcribed with one symbol, as in English sun {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, in which Template:Angbr IPA represents a monophthong. Diphthongs are transcribed with two symbols, as in English high {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or cow {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, in which Template:Angbr IPA and Template:Angbr IPA represent diphthongs.

Diphthongs may be transcribed with two vowel symbols or with a vowel symbol and a semivowel symbol. In the words above, the less prominent member of the diphthong can be represented with the symbols for the palatal approximant Template:IPAblink and the labiovelar approximant Template:IPAblink, with the symbols for the close vowels Template:IPAblink and Template:IPAblink, or the symbols for the near-close vowels Template:IPAblink and Template:IPAblink:

vowel and semivowel	Template:Angbr IPA	broad transcription
two vowel symbols	Template:Angbr IPA	broad transcription
two vowel symbols	Template:Angbr IPA	narrow transcription

Some transcriptions are broader or narrower (less precise or more precise phonetically) than others. Transcribing the English diphthongs in high and cow as Template:Angbr IPA or Template:Angbr IPA is a less precise or broader transcription, since these diphthongs usually end in a vowel sound that is more open than the semivowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or the close vowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. Transcribing the diphthongs as Template:Angbr IPA is a more precise or narrower transcription, since the English diphthongs usually end in the near-close vowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.

The non-syllabic diacritic, the inverted breve below Template:Angbr,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> is placed under the less prominent part of a diphthong to show that it is part of a diphthong rather than a vowel in a separate syllable: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. When there is no contrastive vowel sequence in the language, the diacritic may be omitted. Other common indications that the two sounds are not separate vowels are a superscript, Template:Angbr IPA,<ref>Used e.g. by Template:Citation The author states that the Afrikaans diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} can be transcribed {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.</ref> or a tie bar, Template:Angbr IPA or Template:Angbr IPA.<ref>Used e.g. by Template:Citation. The author transcribes the diphthongs Template:Angbr as {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. However, on page 36, he admits that phonetically, {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are more precise symbols.</ref> The tie bar can be useful when it is not clear which symbol represents the syllable nucleus, or when they have equal weight.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Superscripts are especially used when an on- or off-glide is particularly fleeting.<ref>Template:Cite conference The authors contrast Template:Angbr IPA from Template:Angbr IPA from Template:Angbr IPA.</ref>

The period Template:Angbr IPA is the opposite of the non-syllabic diacritic: it represents a syllable break. If two vowels next to each other belong to two different syllables (hiatus), meaning that they do not form a diphthong, they can be transcribed with two vowel symbols with a period in between. Thus, lower can be transcribed Template:Angbr IPA, with a period separating the first syllable, Template:IPAc-en, from the second syllable, Template:Angbr IPA.

The non-syllabic diacritic is used only when necessary. It is typically omitted when there is no ambiguity, as in Template:Angbr IPA. No words in English have the vowel sequences {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, so the non-syllabic diacritic is unnecessary.

TypesEdit

Falling and risingEdit

Falling (or descending) diphthongs start with a vowel quality of higher prominence (higher pitch or volume) and end in a semivowel with less prominence, like {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in eye, while rising (or ascending) diphthongs begin with a less prominent semivowel and end with a more prominent full vowel, similar to the {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in yard. (Sometimes, however, the terms "falling" and "rising" are used, instead, to refer to vowel height, i.e. as synonyms of the terms "closing" and "opening".<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> See below.) The less prominent component in the diphthong may also be transcribed as an approximant, thus {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in eye and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in yard. However, when the diphthong is analysed as a single phoneme, both elements are often transcribed with vowel symbols ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}). Semivowels and approximants are not equivalent in all treatments, and in the English and Italian languages, among others, many phoneticians do not consider rising combinations to be diphthongs, but rather sequences of approximant and vowel. There are many languages (such as Romanian) that contrast one or more rising diphthongs with similar sequences of a glide and a vowel in their phonetic inventory<ref name="Chiorana">Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> (see semivowel for examples).

Closing, opening, and centeringEdit

File:Belgian Dutch diphthongs chart.svg

Vowel diagram illustrating closing diphthongs of Belgian Standard Dutch, from Template:Harvcoltxt

File:Orsmaal-Gussenhoven Dutch centering diphthongs chart.svg

Vowel diagram illustrating centering diphthongs of the Dutch dialect of Orsmaal-Gussenhoven, from Template:Harvcoltxt

In closing diphthongs, the second element is more close than the first (e.g. {{#invoke:IPA|main}}); in opening diphthongs, the second element is more open (e.g. {{#invoke:IPA|main}}). Closing diphthongs tend to be falling ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}), and opening diphthongs are generally rising ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}),<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> as open vowels are more sonorous and therefore tend to be more prominent. However, exceptions to this rule are not rare in the world's languages. In Finnish, for instance, the opening diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are true falling diphthongs, since they begin louder and with higher pitch and fall in prominence during the diphthong.

A third, rare type of diphthong that is neither opening nor closing is height-harmonic diphthongs, with both elements at the same vowel height.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> These may have occurred in Old English:

beorht {{#invoke:IPA|main}} "bright"
ċeald {{#invoke:IPA|main}} "cold"

A centering diphthong is one that begins with a more peripheral vowel and ends with a more central one, such as {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Received Pronunciation or {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Irish. Many centering diphthongs are also opening diphthongs ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}).

Diphthongs may contrast in how far they open or close. For example, Samoan contrasts low-to-mid with low-to-high diphthongs:

'ai {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'probably'
'ae {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'but'
'auro {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'gold'
ao {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'a cloud'

Narrow and wideEdit

Narrow diphthongs are the ones that end with a vowel which on a vowel chart is quite close to the one that begins the diphthong, for example Northern Dutch {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. Wide diphthongs are the opposite – they require a greater tongue movement, and their offsets are farther away from their starting points on the vowel chart. Examples of wide diphthongs are RP/GA English {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.

LengthEdit

Languages differ in the length of diphthongs, measured in terms of morae. In languages with phonemically short and long vowels, diphthongs typically behave like long vowels, and are pronounced with a similar length.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In languages with only one phonemic length for pure vowels, however, diphthongs may behave like pure vowels.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> For example, in Icelandic, both monophthongs and diphthongs are pronounced long before single consonants and short before most consonant clusters.

Some languages contrast short and long diphthongs. In some languages, such as Old English, these behave like short and long vowels, occupying one and two morae, respectively. Languages that contrast three quantities in diphthongs are extremely rare, but not unheard of; Northern Sami is known to contrast long, short and "finally stressed" diphthongs, the last of which are distinguished by a longer second element.<ref name="Aikio 2022">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp

PhonologyEdit

In some languages, diphthongs are single phonemes, while in others they are analyzed as sequences of two vowels, or of a vowel and a semivowel.

Sound changesEdit

Certain sound changes relate to diphthongs and monophthongs. Vowel breaking or diphthongization is a vowel shift in which a monophthong becomes a diphthong. Monophthongization or smoothing is a vowel shift in which a diphthong becomes a monophthong.

Difference from semivowels and vowel sequencesEdit

While there are a number of similarities, diphthongs are not the same phonologically as a combination of a vowel and an approximant or glide. Most importantly, diphthongs are fully contained in the syllable nucleus<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref><ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> while a semivowel or glide is restricted to the syllable boundaries (either the onset or the coda). This often manifests itself phonetically by a greater degree of constriction,<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> but the phonetic distinction is not always clear.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> The English word yes, for example, consists of a palatal glide followed by a monophthong rather than a rising diphthong. In addition, the segmental elements must be different in diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and so when it occurs in a language, it does not contrast with {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. However, it is possible for languages to contrast {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

Diphthongs are also distinct from sequences of simple vowels. The Bunaq language of Timor, for example, distinguishes {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'exit' from {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'be amused', {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'dance' from {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'stare at', and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'choice' from {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'good'.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Some languages or dialects also articulate the component sounds of a diphthong differently than when those sounds are produced in hiatus. For example, due to English diphthong raising, many North American English speakers pronounce {{#invoke:IPA|main}} with closer vowels than {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, and, among a subset of those, the diphthong {{#invoke:IPA|main}} may be similarly raised as compared to {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.

ExamplesEdit

Indo-European languagesEdit

EnglishEdit

Template:See also

In words coming from Middle English, most cases of the Modern English diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} originate from the Middle English long monophthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} through the Great Vowel Shift, although some cases of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} originate from the Middle English diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.

Standard English diphthongs
	English diaphoneme	RP (British)	Australian	S.W. Irish	North American
	English diaphoneme	RP (British)	Australian	S.W. Irish	GenAm	Canadian
low	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
loud	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}<ref group=t2 name=pitt>In Pittsburgh English, {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} is monophthongal {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, leading to the stereotypical spelling "Dahntahn" for "downtown".</ref>	main}}
lout	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		main}}<ref group="t2" name="ce1">Canadian English and some dialects of northern American English exhibit allophony of {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} called Canadian raising – in some places they have become separate phonemes. GA has raising to a lesser extent in {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}.</ref>
lied	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}<ref group=t2 name=sus>In several American dialects such as Southern American English, {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} becomes monophthongal [aː] except before voiceless consonants.</ref>
light	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}<ref group=t2 name=ce1/>
lay	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
loin	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
loon	main}}<ref group=t2 name=md4>The erstwhile monophthongs {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} are diphthongized in many dialects. In many cases they might be better transcribed as {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, where the non-syllabic element is understood to be closer than the syllabic element. They are sometimes transcribed {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}.</ref>	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}
lean	main}}<ref group=t2 name=md4/>	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
leer	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
lair	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
lure	main}}	main}}	main}}	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}

Template:Reflist

DutchEdit

Diphthongs of Dutch
	Netherlandic<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>	Belgian<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>
zeis, ijs	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
ui	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
zout, louw	main}}	main}}
leeuw	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
nieuw	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
duw	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
dooi	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
saai	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
loei	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
beet<ref group=t1 name=t-one>{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} are normally pronounced as closing diphthongs except when preceding {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, in which case they are either centering diphthongs: {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}} or are lengthened and monophthongized to {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}, and {{#invoke:IPA\|main}}</ref>	main}}	main}}
neus<ref group=t1 name=t-one/>	main}}	main}}
boot<ref group=t1 name=t-one/>	main}}	main}}

Template:Reflist

The dialect of Hamont (in Limburg) has five centring diphthongs and contrasts long and short forms of {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

AfrikaansEdit

The Afrikaans language has its origin in Dutch but differs in many significant ways, including the use of diphthongs in the place of several non-diphthong Dutch double vowels, or double-vowels being pronounced differently. Examples include:

ee as in leer
eu as in deur
ui as in buite

Diphthong phonemesTemplate:Sfnp Template:Sfnp
Starting point		Ending point
Starting point		Front	Central	Back
Closed	Template:Small			main}}
Closed	Template:Small	main}}
Mid	Template:Small	main}}	main}}
Mid	Template:Small	main}}	main}}	main}}
Open	Template:Small	main}}

Falling diphthongs. Their first element may be short {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or somewhat lengthened {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:Sfnp
Rising diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. These variants do not seem to appear word-finally. The sequence {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is commonly realised as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or, more often, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, with {{#invoke:IPA|main}} realised as breathy
The scholar Daan Wissing argues that {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is not a phonetically correct transcription and that {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is more accurate. In his analysis, he found that {{#invoke:IPA|main}} makes for 65% of the realisations, the other 35% being monophthongal, Template:IPAblink, Template:IPAblink and Template:IPAblink.Template:Sfnp
Most often, {{#invoke:IPA|main}} has an unrounded offset. For some speakers, the onset is also unrounded. That can cause {{#invoke:IPA|main}} to merge with {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, which is considered non-standard.Template:Sfnp
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} occur mainly in loanwords.Template:Sfnp
Older sources describe {{#invoke:IPA|main}} as a narrow back diphthong {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:SfnpTemplate:Sfnp However, newer sources describe its onset as more front. For example, Template:Harvcoltxt, states that the onset of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is central {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:Sfnp
- In some words which, in English, are pronounced with {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, the Afrikaans equivalent tends to be pronounced with {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, rather than {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. That happens because Afrikaans {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is more similar to the usual South African realization of English {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:Sfnp

Example words for diphthongs
Phoneme	IPA	Orthography	Gloss
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'son'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'he'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'to know'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'house'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'burlap'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'bread'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'cold'
main}}	main}}	lang}}	'many'

The long diphthongs (or 'double vowels') are phonemically sequences of a free vowel and a non-syllabic equivalent of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}}: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. Both {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} tend to be pronounced as {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, but they are spelled differently: the former as Template:Angbr, the latter as Template:Angbr.Template:Sfnp

In diminutives ending in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} formed to monosyllabic nouns, the vowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are realised as closing diphthongs {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. In the same environment, the sequences {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are realized as {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, i.e. as closing diphthongs followed by palatal nasal.Template:Sfnp

The suffixes Template:Angbr and Template:Angbr (phonemically {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, respectively) and the diminutive suffix {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are realised as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} (with a monophthong), rather than {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:Sfnp
In practice, the diphthong {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is realised the same as the phonemic diphthong {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.Template:Sfnp
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}, when it has arisen from diphthongisation of {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, differs from the phonemic diphthong {{#invoke:IPA|main}} by having a slightly different onset, although the exact nature of that difference is unclear. This means that {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'point' sounds somewhat different from {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'rubble'.Template:Sfnp

GermanEdit

Standard GermanEdit

Phonemic diphthongs in German:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'egg'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'mouse'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'new'

In the varieties of German that vocalize the {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in the syllable coda, other diphthongal combinations may occur. These are only phonetic diphthongs, not phonemic diphthongs, since the vocalic pronunciation {{#invoke:IPA|main}} alternates with consonantal pronunciations of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} if a vowel follows, cf. {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'you hear' – {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'I hear'. These phonetic diphthongs may be as follows:

File:German ɐ diphthongs chart - part 1.svg

main}} (part 1), from Template:Harvcoltxt

File:German ɐ diphthongs chart - part 2.svg

main}} (part 2), from Template:Harvcoltxt

Diphthong		Example
Phonemically	Phonetically	IPA	Orthography	Translation
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[1]}}}	main}}	lang}}	we
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[2]}}}	main}}	lang}}	for
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[3]}}}	main}}	lang}}	holiday
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	he/she/it becomes
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	dignity
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	I/he/she/it became
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[4]}}}	main}}	lang}}	more
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[5]}}}	main}}	lang}}	(you) hear!
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[6]}}}	main}}	lang}}	gate/goal (in football)
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[7]}}}	main}}	lang}}	bear
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	Erft
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	he/she/it dries
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	north
main}}	main}}^{{{#if:1\|1\|[8]}}}	main}}	lang}}	true
main}}	main}}	main}}	lang}}	hard

<templatestyles src="Citation/styles.css"/>^1{{#if:| }} Template:Harvcoltxt notes that the length contrast is not very stable before non-prevocalic {{#invoke:IPA|main}}<ref name="Wiese198">Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> and that "Template:Harvcoltxt, following the pronouncing dictionaries (Template:Harvcoltxt, Template:Harvcoltxt) judge the vowel in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} to be long, while the vowel in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is supposed to be short. The factual basis of this presumed distinction seems very questionable."<ref name="Wiese198"/><ref>Also supported by Template:Harvcoltxt.</ref> He goes on stating that in his own dialect, there is no length difference in these words, and that judgements on vowel length in front of non-prevocalic {{#invoke:IPA|main}} which is itself vocalized are problematic, in particular if {{#invoke:IPA|main}} precedes.<ref name="Wiese198"/>

According to the 'lengthless' analysis, the aforementioned 'long' diphthongs are analyzed as {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. This makes non-prevocalic {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} homophonous as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. Non-prevocalic {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} may also merge, but the vowel chart in Template:Harvcoltxt shows that they have somewhat different starting points.

Template:Harvcoltxt also states that "laxing of the vowel is predicted to take place in shortened vowels; it does indeed seem to go hand in hand with the vowel shortening in many cases."<ref name="Wiese198"/>

Bernese GermanEdit

The diphthongs of some German dialects differ from standard German diphthongs. The Bernese German diphthongs, for instance, correspond rather to the Middle High German diphthongs than to standard German diphthongs:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in lieb 'dear'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in guet 'good'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in müed 'tired'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Bei 'leg'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Boum 'tree'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Böim 'trees'

Apart from these phonemic diphthongs, Bernese German has numerous phonetic diphthongs due to L-vocalization in the syllable coda, for instance the following ones:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Stau 'stable'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Staau 'steel'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Wäut 'world'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in wääut 'elects'
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in tschúud 'guilty'

YiddishEdit

Yiddish has three diphthongs:<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} פּליטה ('refugee' f.)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} נײַן ('nine')
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} אופֿן ('way')

Diphthongs may reach a higher target position (towards {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) in situations of coarticulatory phenomena or when words with such vowels are being emphasized.

NorwegianEdit

There are five diphthongs in the Oslo dialect of Norwegian, all of them falling:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in nei, "no"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in øy, "island"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in sau, "sheep"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in hai, "shark"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in joik, "Sami song"

An additional diphthong, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, occurs only in the word hui in the expression i hui og hast "in great haste". The number and form of diphthongs vary between dialects.

FaroeseEdit

Diphthongs in Faroese are:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in bein (can also be short)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in havn
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in har, mær
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in hey
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in nevnd
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in nøvn
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in hús
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in mín, bý, ið (can also be short)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in ráð
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in hoyra (can also be short)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in sól, ovn

IcelandicEdit

Diphthongs in Icelandic are the following:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "eight"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "enough"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "eye"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "dear"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "they"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "bunk bed", "berth" (rare, only in handful of words)

Combinations of semivowel {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and a vowel are the following:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "eat"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "manger"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "yes"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "iodine", "jay", "yod" (only in a handful of words of foreign origin)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "Christmas"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "giant"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "oh well"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, "yes"

FrenchEdit

In French, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} may be considered true diphthongs (that is, fully contained in the syllable nucleus: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}). Other sequences are considered part of a glide formation process that turns a high vowel into a semivowel (and part of the syllable onset) when followed by another vowel.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

Diphthongs

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in roi "king", coi "quiet", croix "cross", doigt "finger", droit "right", foi "faith", loi "law", proie "prey", soie "silk", toit "roof", voie "way", voix "voice"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in groin "muzzle", coin "corner", coing "quince", foin "hay", moins "less", loin "far", point "point", poing "fist", soin "care"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in huit "eight", bruit "noise", buis "boxwood", fruit "fruit", fuite "leak", luire "glow", nuire "harm", nuit "night", pluie "rain", suite "continuation"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in juin "June", suint "ooze (tar)"

Semivowels

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in oui "yes"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in lien "bond"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Ariège
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in pied "foot"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in yin
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in travail "work"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in Marseille
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in bille "ball"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in feuille "leaf"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in grenouille "frog"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in vieux "old"

Quebec FrenchEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In Quebec French, long vowels are generally diphthongized in informal speech when stressed.

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in tard "late"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in père "father"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in fleur "flower"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in autre "other"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in neutre "neutral"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in banque "bank"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in mince "thin"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in bon "well"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in un "one"

CatalanEdit

Catalan possesses a number of phonetic diphthongs, all of which begin (rising diphthongs) or end (falling diphthongs) in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

Catalan diphthongs
falling
main}}	aigua	'water'	main}}	taula	'table'
main}}	mainada	'children'	main}}	caurem	'we will fall'
main}}	remei	'remedy'	main}}	peu	'foot'
main}}	rei	'king'	main}}	seu	'his/her'
			main}}	niu	'nest'
main}}	noi	'boy'	main}}	nou	'new'
			main}}	jou	'yoke'
main}}	avui	'today'	main}}	duu	'he/she is carrying'
rising
main}}	iaia	'grandma'	main}}	quatre	'four'
main}}	veiem	'we see'	main}}	seqüència	'sequence'
main}}	seient	'seat'	main}}	ungüent	'ointment'
main}}	feia	'he/she was doing'	main}}	qüestió	'question'
			main}}	pingüí	'penguin'
main}}	iode	'iodine'	main}}	quota	'payment'
main}}	iogurt	'yoghurt'

In standard Eastern Catalan, rising diphthongs (that is, those starting with {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) are possible only in the following contexts:<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Template:IPAblink in word initial position, e.g. iogurt.
Both occur between vowels as in feia and veiem.
In the sequences {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and vowel, e.g. guant, quota, qüestió, pingüí (these exceptional cases even lead some scholars<ref>e.g. Template:Harvcoltxt, Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> to hypothesize the existence of rare labiovelar phonemes {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}).<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

There are also certain instances of compensatory diphthongization in the Majorcan dialect so that {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('logs') (in addition to deleting the palatal plosive) develops a compensating palatal glide and surfaces as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} (and contrasts with the unpluralized {{#invoke:IPA|main}}). Diphthongization compensates for the loss of the palatal stop (part of Catalan's segment loss compensation). There are other cases where diphthongization compensates for the loss of point of articulation features (property loss compensation) as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('year') vs {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('years').<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> The dialectal distribution of this compensatory diphthongization is almost entirely dependent on the dorsal plosive (whether it is velar or palatal) and the extent of consonant assimilation (whether or not it is extended to palatals).<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

PortugueseEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The Portuguese diphthongs are formed by the labio-velar approximant {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and palatal approximant {{#invoke:IPA|main}} with a vowel,<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> European Portuguese has 14 phonemic diphthongs (10 oral and 4 nasal),<ref name="ReferenceB">Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> all of which are falling diphthongs formed by a vowel and a nonsyllabic high vowel. Brazilian Portuguese has roughly the same amount, although the European and non-European dialects have slightly different pronunciations ({{#invoke:IPA|main}} is a distinctive feature of some southern and central Portuguese dialects, especially that of Lisbon). A {{#invoke:IPA|main}} onglide after {{#invoke:IPA|main}} or {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and before all vowels as in quando {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('when') or guarda {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('guard') may also form rising diphthongs and triphthongs. Additionally, in casual speech, adjacent heterosyllabic vowels may combine into diphthongs and triphthongs or even sequences of them.<ref name="ReferenceC">Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

Falling diphthongs of Portuguese
oral
	EP<ref name="ReferenceB"/>	BP		EP	BP
sai	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		mau	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
sei	main}}	main}}	meu	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
anéis	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		véu	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
			viu	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
mói	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
moita	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		dou	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
fui	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
nasal
mãe	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	main}}	mão	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
cem	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	main}}
anões	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}
muita	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}

In addition, phonetic diphthongs are formed in most Brazilian Portuguese dialects by the vocalization of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in the syllable coda with words like sol {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('sun') and sul {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('south') as well as by yodization of vowels preceding Template:IPAslink or its allophone at syllable coda {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in terms like arroz {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('rice'),<ref name="ReferenceC"/> and Template:IPAslink (or {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) in terms such as paz mundial {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('world peace') and dez anos {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('ten years').

SpanishEdit

Phonetically, Spanish has seven falling diphthongs and eight rising diphthongs. In addition, during fast speech, sequences of vowels in hiatus become diphthongs wherein one becomes non-syllabic (unless they are the same vowel, in which case they fuse together) as in poeta {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('poet'), almohada {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('pillow'), maestro {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('teacher') and línea {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ('line'). The Spanish diphthongs are:<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Spanish diphthongs
falling
main}}	aire	'air'	main}}	pausa	'pause'
main}}	rey	'king'	main}}	neutro	'neutral'
main}}	hoy	'today'	main}}	bou	'seine fishing'
main}}	muy	'very'
rising
main}}	hacia	'towards'	main}}	cuadro	'picture'
main}}	tierra	'earth'	main}}	fuego	'fire'
			main}}	fuimos	'we went'
main}}	radio	'radio'	main}}	cuota	'quota'
main}}	viuda	'widow'

ItalianEdit

The existence of true diphthongs in Italian is debated; however, a list is:<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

Italian diphthongs
falling
main}}	baita	'mountain hut'	main}}	auto	'car'
main}}	potei	'I could' (past tense)	main}}	pleurite	'pleurisy'
main}}	sei	'six'	main}}	neutro	'neuter'
main}}	poi	'later'
main}}	voi	'you' (pl.)
main}}	lui	'he'
rising
main}}	chiave	'key'	main}}	guado	'ford'
main}}	pieno	'full'	main}}	quercia	'oak'
main}}	soffietto	'bellows'	main}}	quello	'that'
			main}}	guida	'guide'
main}}	chiodo	'nail'	main}}	quota	'quota'
main}}	fiore	'flower'	main}}	acquoso	'watery'
main}}	piuma	'feather'

The second table includes only 'false' diphthongs, composed of a semivowel + a vowel, not two vowels. The situation is more nuanced in the first table: a word such as 'baita' is actually pronounced ['baj.ta] and most speakers would syllabify it that way. A word such as 'voi' would instead be pronounced and syllabified as ['vo.i], yet again without a diphthong.

In general, unstressed {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in hiatus can turn into glides in more rapid speech (e.g. biennale {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'biennial'; coalizione {{#invoke:IPA|main}} 'coalition') with the process occurring more readily in syllables further from stress.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

RomanianEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} Romanian has two true diphthongs: {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. There are, however, a host of other vowel combinations (more than any other major Romance language) which are classified as vowel glides. As a result of their origin (diphthongization of mid vowels under stress), the two true diphthongs appear only in stressed syllables<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> and make morphological alternations with the mid vowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. To native speakers, they sound very similar to {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} respectively.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> There are no perfect minimal pairs to contrast {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}},<ref name="Chiorana" /> and because {{#invoke:IPA|main}} does not appear in the final syllable of a prosodic word, there are no monosyllabic words with {{#invoke:IPA|main}}; exceptions might include voal ('veil') and trotuar ('sidewalk'), though Ioana Chițoran argues<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> that these are best treated as containing glide-vowel sequences rather than diphthongs. In addition to these, the semivowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} can be combined (either before, after, or both) with most vowels, while this arguably<ref>See Template:Harvcoltxt for a brief overview of the views regarding Romanian semivowels</ref> forms additional diphthongs and triphthongs, only {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} can follow an obstruent-liquid cluster such as in broască ('frog') and dreagă ('to mend'),<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref> implying that {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} are restricted to the syllable boundary and therefore, strictly speaking, do not form diphthongs.

IrishEdit

All Irish diphthongs are falling.

{{#invoke:IPA|main}}, spelled aigh, aidh, agh, adh, eagh, eadh, eigh, or eidh
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}, spelled abh, amh, eabh, or eamh
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}, spelled ia, iai
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}, spelled ua, uai

Scottish GaelicEdit

There are 9 diphthongs in Scottish Gaelic. Group 1 occur anywhere (eu is usually {{#invoke:IPA|main}} before -m, e.g. Seumas). Group 2 are reflexes that occur before -ll, -m, -nn, -bh, -dh, -gh and -mh.

		Spellings	Examples
1	main}}	ia	iarr "ask"
	main}}	ua	fuar "cold"
	main}}	eu	beul "mouth"
2	main}}	ai	saill "grease", cainnt "speech", aimhreit "riot"
	main}}	ei	seinn "sing"
	main}}	oi, ei, ai	loinn "badge", greim "bite", saighdear "soldier"
	main}}	ui, aoi	druim "back", aoibhneas "joy"
	main}}	a, ea	cam "crooked", ceann "head"
	main}}	o	tom "mound", donn "brown"

For more detailed explanations of Gaelic diphthongs see Scottish Gaelic orthography.

CornishEdit

The following diphthongs are used in the Standard Written Form of Cornish. Each diphthong is given with its Revived Middle Cornish (RMC) and Revived Late Cornish (RLC) pronunciation.

Graph	RMC	RLC	Example
aw	main}}	main}}	glaw "rain"
ay	main}}	main}}	bay "kiss"
ew	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		blew "hair"
ey	main}}	main}}	bleydh "wolf"
iw	main}}	main}}	liw "colour"
ow	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		lowen "happy"
oy	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		moy "more"
uw	main}}	main}}	duw "god"
yw	main}}	main}}	byw "alive"

WelshEdit

Welsh is traditionally divided into Northern and Southern dialects. In the north, some diphthongs may be short or long according to regular vowel length rules but in the south they are always short (see Welsh phonology). Southern dialects tend to simplify diphthongs in speech (e.g. {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} {{#invoke:IPA|main}} is reduced to {{#invoke:IPA|main}}).

Grapheme	North	South	Example
ae	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	maen 'stone'
ai	main}}		gwaith 'work'
au†	main}}		haul 'sun'
aw	main}}	main}}	mawr 'big'
ei	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	gweithio 'to work'
eu	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		treulio 'spend'
ey	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		teyrn 'tyrant'
ew	main}}	main}}	tew 'fat'
oe	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	moel 'bald'
ou	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		cyffrous 'excited'
oi	main}}		troi 'turn'
ow	main}}	main}}	brown 'brown'
wy	main}}	main}}	pwyll 'sense'
iw	main}}	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}	lliw 'colour'
uw	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		duw 'god'
yw	{{#invoke:IPA\|main}}		llyw 'rudder'
yw	main}}	main}}	tywydd 'weather'

† The plural ending {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} is reduced to {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in the north and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in the south, e.g. {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} 'battles' is {{#invoke:IPA|main}} (north) or {{#invoke:IPA|main}} (south).

CzechEdit

There are three diphthongs in Czech:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in auto (almost exclusively in words of foreign origin)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in euro (in words of foreign origin only)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in koule

The vowel groups ia, ie, ii, io, and iu in foreign words are not regarded as diphthongs, they are pronounced with {{#invoke:IPA|main}} between the vowels {{#invoke:IPA|main}}.

Serbo-CroatianEdit

{{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> (in Ijekavian varieties)

may be pronounced as a diphthong, but also as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in hiatus or separated by a semivowel, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}. For example, in the first line of the national anthem of Croatia, Lijepa naša domovina, ije is pronounced as a diphthong, but in the first line of the national anthem of Montenegro, Oj, svijetla majska zoro, ije is pronounced as two syllables.

Some Serbo-Croatian dialects also have uo, as in {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> whereas, in Standard Croatian and Serbian, these words are konj, rod, on.

Uralic languagesEdit

EstonianEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}

All nine vowels can appear as the first component of an Estonian diphthong, but only {{#invoke:IPA|main}} occur as the second component.

Common Estonian diphthongs
		main}}	aed "fence, garden"	main}}	lai "wide"	main}}	kaotama "to lose"	main}}	laud "table"
main}}	teadma "to know"			main}}	leib "bread"	main}}	teostus "accomplishment"	main}}	kiuste "in spite of"
main}}	toa "room" (s. possessive)	main}}	koer "dog"	main}}	toit "food"
				main}}	kui "when, if"
main}}	lõa "tether" (s. possessive)	main}}	nõel "needle"	main}}	õige "right, correct"	main}}	tõotus "promise"	main}}	lõug "chin"
		main}}	päev "day"	main}}	täis "full"	main}}	näo "face" (s. possessive)	main}}	näuguma "to meow"
		main}}	söed "coals"	main}}	köis "rope"

There are additional diphthongs less commonly used, such as {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Euroopa (Europe), {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in söandama (to dare), and {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in näuguma (to mew).

FinnishEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} All Finnish diphthongs are falling. Notably, Finnish has true opening diphthongs (e.g. {{#invoke:IPA|main}}), which are not very common crosslinguistically compared to centering diphthongs (e.g. {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in English). Vowel combinations across syllables may in practice be pronounced as diphthongs, when an intervening consonant has elided, as in näön {{#invoke:IPA|main}} instead of {{#invoke:IPA|main}} for the genitive of näkö ('sight').

closing

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in laiva (ship)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in keinu (swing)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in poika (boy)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in äiti (mother)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in öisin (at nights)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in lauha (mild)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in leuto (mild)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in koulu (school)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in leyhyä (to waft)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in täysi (full)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in löytää (to find)

close

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in uida (to swim)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in lyijy (lead)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in viulu (violin)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in siistiytyä (to smarten up)

opening

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in kieli (tongue)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in suo (bog)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in yö (night)

Northern SamiEdit

The diphthong system in Northern Sami varies considerably from one dialect to another. The Western Finnmark dialects distinguish four different qualities of opening diphthongs:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in leat "to be"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in giella "language"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in boahtit "to come"
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in vuodjat "to swim"

In terms of quantity, Northern Sami shows a three-way contrast between long, short and finally stressed diphthongs. The last are distinguished from long and short diphthongs by a markedly long and stressed second component. Diphthong quantity is not indicated in spelling.<ref name="Aikio 2022" />Template:Rp <ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Semitic languagesEdit

MalteseEdit

Maltese has seven falling diphthongs, though they may be considered VC sequences phonemically.<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ej or għi
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} aj or għi
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} oj
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} iw
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ew
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} aw or għu
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ow or għu

Sino-Tibetan languagesEdit

Mandarin ChineseEdit

Rising sequences in Mandarin are usually regarded as a combination of a medial semivowel ({{#invoke:IPA|main}}) plus a vowel, while falling sequences are regarded as one diphthong.

ai: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in ài (愛, love)
ei: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in lèi (累, tired)
ao: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in dào (道, way)
ou: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in dòu (豆, bean)

CantoneseEdit

Cantonese has eleven diphthongs.

aai: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in gaai1 (街, street)
aau: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in baau3 (爆, explode)
ai: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in gai1 (雞, chicken)
au: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in au1 (勾, hook)
ei: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in gei1 (機, machine)
eu: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in deu6 (掉, throw)
iu: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in giu3 (叫, call)
oi: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in oi3 (愛, love)
ou: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in gou1 (高, high)
ui: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in pui4 (陪, accompany)
eui: {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, as in zeoi3 (醉, drunk)

Tai–Kadai languagesEdit

ThaiEdit

In addition to vowel nuclei following or preceding {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, Thai has three diphthongs:<ref>Template:Harvcoltxt</ref>

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} เ–ีย ia
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} เ–ือ uea
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} –ัว ua

Mon-Khmer languagesEdit

VietnameseEdit

In addition to vowel nuclei following or preceding {{#invoke:IPA|main}} and {{#invoke:IPA|main}}, Vietnamese has three diphthongs:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ia~iê
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ưa~ươ
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} ua~uô

KhmerEdit

Khmer language has rich vocalics with an extra distinction of long and short register to the vowels and diphthongs.

{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}

Bantu languagesEdit

ZuluEdit

Zulu has only monophthongs. Y and w are semi-vowels:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ngiyabeka (I am placing it)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} as in {{#invoke:IPA|main}} ngiwa (I fall/I am falling)

Austronesian languagesEdit

IndonesianEdit

Indonesian has four diphthongs which may be located at the beginning, middle or end of a word.<ref>Minister of Education and Culture Decree No: 50/2015, Jakarta, 2015.</ref> They are:

{{#invoke:IPA|main}}: balairung ('hall'), kedai ('shop'), pandai ('clever')
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}: autodidak ('autodidact'), Taufik (Indonesian given name), kerbau ('buffalo'), limau ('lemon')
{{#invoke:IPA|main}} (or {{#invoke:IPA|main}} in Indonesian): boikot ('boycott'), amboi (an expression when amazed)
{{#invoke:IPA|main}}: eigendom ('property'), survei ('survey')

ReferencesEdit

Template:Reflist

BibliographyEdit

Template:Authority control

Diphthong

TranscriptionEdit

TypesEdit

Falling and risingEdit

Closing, opening, and centeringEdit

Narrow and wideEdit

LengthEdit

PhonologyEdit

Sound changesEdit

Difference from semivowels and vowel sequencesEdit

ExamplesEdit

Indo-European languagesEdit

EnglishEdit

DutchEdit

AfrikaansEdit

GermanEdit

Standard GermanEdit

Bernese GermanEdit

YiddishEdit

NorwegianEdit

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ItalianEdit

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Scottish GaelicEdit

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Serbo-CroatianEdit

Uralic languagesEdit

EstonianEdit

FinnishEdit

Northern SamiEdit

Semitic languagesEdit

MalteseEdit

Sino-Tibetan languagesEdit

Mandarin ChineseEdit

CantoneseEdit

Tai–Kadai languagesEdit

ThaiEdit

Mon-Khmer languagesEdit

VietnameseEdit

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Austronesian languagesEdit

IndonesianEdit

See alsoEdit

ReferencesEdit

BibliographyEdit