Diphthongs are sounds which consist of a movement or glide from one vowel to another. According to J.C. Wells: a diphthong is a complex vowel, a sequence of two vowel qualities within a single syllable. Diphthongs ( )

Closing diphthongs ending in ɪ Longer: day made game Shorter: eight tape safe Longer: fly mine hide Shorter: fight like ice Longer: boy noise coin Shorter: choice voice a ɔ

Some exceptional spellings -et endings: ballet, bouquet, filet, valet /aɪ/ is+l : island, Isla, islet BUT: islam, Isleworth /aɪz(ə)lwɜ:θ/, Izlington /ɪzlɪŋtən/

Comparison Estonian Rein sein meil English rain sane mail

Say the sentence with English sounds Rein töötas eile Keilas

Comparison Estonian: taim sai lai mai English: time sigh lie my

Say the sentence with English sounds See vai sai natuke lai

Comparison Estonian: poi koi loid English: boy coy Lloyd

Say the sentence with English sounds Koit oli loid ja väsinud ning kõndis roidunult mööda teed

Closing diphthongs ending in ℧ a℧ Longer: how loud round Shorter: shout mouse about ə℧ Longer: so low home Shorter: rope oak post

Comparison Estonian: laud raund kauboi English: loud round cowboy

Say the sentence with English sounds Kauboi kaotas teise raundi

Centring diphthongs ending in ə Longer i: - dear beard fears Reduced  - pierce fierce ə Spelling of ə: all -eer as in beer, steer Spelling of eə: all -air as in fair many -ere as in here, mere many -are as in care -ear as in dear, fear -ary as in Mary less common: -ier as in pierce less common: -ear as in pear -eir as in weird exceptions: -ere as in there -eir as in their

ə and eə Here’s your spare spear on this rear chair It’s sheer despair that made him dare to interfere They’re cutting their hairy beards with a pair of shears

Diphthongs + ə (triphthongs) e : eə a : aə pay payer eye ire grey greyer spy spire convey conveyor why wire betray betrayer high higher a℧ : a℧ə ə℧ : ə℧ə bow bowels grow grower sow sour low lower Pow! power row rower ɔ ɔə Roy royal boy buoyant