English Vowel Sound- Monophthong And Diphthong

Before we move forward, I would like to ask you, “Did you check our blog post on English Alphabet and Word“? If your answer is ‘NO’. You might consider going through that post and then start from here.

What is a Vowel Sound?

A sound that is produced by a vowel is called a vowel sound. And here we must remember that the pronunciation of the vowels of the English alphabet can differ in different positions with their different forms and formats.

Example: For example, if we take the two words such as ‘All’ and ‘Car’, here we can see that ‘A’ is used as a vowel both in the two words, but the pronunciation of ‘A’ in the two words is not the same.

Use of Regular Vowels and the Sounds Produced by Them

We know very well that there are five regular vowels in English Alphabet and they are- A(a), E(e), I(i), O(o) and U(u). The pronunciation of these vowels differs according to their positions in different words.

Now we will see one by one how the pronunciation of the vowels changes according to their positions in different words.

‘A (a)’ in Various Positions with Varied Pronunciation

‘E(e)’ in Various Positions with Varied Pronunciation

‘I(i)’ in Various Positions with Varied Pronunciation

‘O(o)’ in Various Positions with Varied Pronunciation

‘U(u)’in Various Positions with Varied Pronunciation

Use of Semi Vowels and the Sounds Produced by Them

We know very well that there are two semi-vowels in the English alphabet and they are- ‘W’ and ‘Y’ and the funny thing is that these two letters are used sometimes as consonants and sometimes as vowels as per their placement in the words.

Use of ‘W’ and ‘Y’ as Consonants and Vowels in a Word

• ‘W(w)’ and ‘Y(y)’ – these two letters are called Semi Vowels of the English Alphabet. When these letters are placed in the very opening or the beginning of the words, these two letters act as Consonants.

• But, when these letters are placed in the middle or at the end of the words, these two letters act as Vowels.

• As for example, in the word ‘We’, ‘W’ is used in the very beginning of the word and ‘W’ is used as a constant. But in the word ‘Now’, here ‘W’ is used at the end of the word and ‘W’ is working as a Vowel and it also produces a sound.

• In a similar way, in the word ‘Yes’, ‘Y’ is used at the very beginning of the word and ‘Y’ is used as a Consonant. But in the word ‘Cry’, ‘y’ is used at the end of the word ‘y’ is working as a vowel.

Use of ‘W’ and ‘Y’ Together in a Word

• Sometimes, ‘W(w) and ‘Y(y) these two letters are placed together in a word.

• In that case, when they are placed in the beginning, they act as Consonants and when they are placed in the middle or at the end of the words, they act as Vowels.

• Taken for example, in the word ‘Why’, here ‘W’ and ‘y’ both these two letters are used. ‘W’ is placed in the opening of the word and it is a Consonant here but ‘y’ is used at the end of the word and it is working as Vowel.

• Again in the word, ‘Yellow’, here ‘Y’ is used at the beginning of the word and it is used as a Consonant but ‘w’ is used at the end of the word and it is working as a Vowel.

Types of Vowel Sound

It can be of two different types and they are – Monophthong and Diphthong.

Monophthong with Example

• The word Monophthong comes from the old Greek language. In Greek, ‘Mono’ means ‘one or single’ and ‘phthong’ means ‘sound or tone’.

• It is a pure vowel sound one whose articulation at both beginning and end is relatively fixed and which does not glide up or down towards a new position of articulation.

• Monophthong is also known as Stable or Pure or Single Vowel Sound.

Example: For example, if we say the words such as ‘All’, ‘Ball’ or ‘Call’ , here we can see that a single sound is produced.

Diphthong with Example

• In Greek, ‘Di’ means ‘two or double’ and ‘phthong’ means ‘sound’.

• It is a sound formed by the combination of two sounds in a single syllable, in which the sound begins as one vowel and moves towards another.

• Diphthong is also known as Double or Long Vowel Sound

• It is also known as Gliding Vowel
  

Example: If we observe the words such as ‘Out’ and ‘Doubt’, here we can see the combination of two sounds and new produced sound is long.