definition: The word vowel comes from the Latin word vocalis,
meaning "speaking", because in most languages words and thus speech are
not possible without vowels. In English, the word vowel is commonly
used to mean both vowel sounds and the written symbols that represent
them. (Wikipedia)
example:i: | bit /bi:t/
I | build /bIld/
ʊ | should /
ʃʊd/u: | you /
ju:/e | many
/ˈmeni/ə | system
/ˈsɪstəm/ɜ: | service /
ˈsɜ:vɪs/ɔ: | also
/ˈɔ:lsoʊ/æ | that
/ðæt/ʌ | result
/rIˈzʌlt/ | month /mʌnθ/ɑ: | calm
/kɑ:m/ɒ | got /gɒt/
Watch this video for some samples of vowel sounds!
Diphtong
definition: A
diphthong also known as a gliding vowel, refers to two adjacent vowel
sounds occurring within the same syllable. Technically, a diphthong is a
vowel with two different targets: That is, the tongue moves during the
pronunciation of the vowel. In most dialects of English, the words eye,
hay, boy, low, and cow contain diphthongs. (Wikipedia)
example:Iə | change
/tʃeIndʒ/eI | hear
/hɪə(r)/ʊə | pure /pjʊə/
ɔI | moist /mɔIst/
əʊ | boat /bəʊt/
eə | bear /be(ə)r/ | hair /he(ə)r/ [American, -> in british english most words with eə = ɜ]
ɑI | idea /
aIˈdi:ə/ɑʊ | town /tɑʊn/ [British, -> in american english pronunciation = /toun/]
