@
3. * Vowels
Centring diphthongs
Io
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for /1/, moving.
down and back towards /a/.The lips are neutral,
but with a small movement from spread to open.
Asin... beer, beard, fear, pierce, Tan, here, idea
Difficulties for: A, C, F, G, Gk, Ind, It, J, B, R, Se,
Sp, Tu
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for /u/, moving
forwards and down towards /o/.’The lips are
loosely rounded, becoming neutrally spread.
Asin... “sure, moor, tour, obscure
“Quite «rare diphthong. Many epeakers replace it with />d/
Difficulties for: A, C, F, G, Gk, Ind, It, P.R, Se,
Sp, Ta
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for /e/, moving
back towards /a/. The lips remain neutrally open.
Asin... where, wear, chair, dare, stare, there
\
Difficulties for: A, C, F, G, Gk, Ind, It J, P, R, Se,
Sp, Ta
el
Closing diphthongs ending in //
Characteristics
The glide begins in the position for /e/, moving up
and slightly back towards /1/. The lips are spread
Asin... cake, way, weigh, say, pain, they, vein
Difficulties for: A, C, F, G, Ind, It, Se, Sp, Tu
35How to Teach Pronunciation
36
®
@
®
Characteristics
‘The glide begins in the position for /o:/, moving
up and forward towards /1/. The lips start open
and rounded, and change to neutral.
Difficulties for: A, C, Ind, Sp, Tu
id, voice, enjy, Boy
Characteristics
‘The glide begins in an open position, between
front and centre, moving up and slightly forward
towards /i/. The lips move from neutral, to loosely
spread.
Closing diphthongs
20
}
}
ending in /u/
Characteristics
‘The glide begins in the position for /o/, moving up
and back towards /o/. The lips are neutral, but
change to loosely rounded.
‘Asin... ga, snow, e, hello, although
é
Difficulties for: A, C, F, Gk, Ind, It, J, B, Sp, Tu
au
Characteristics
‘The glide begins in a position quite similar to /a/,
moving up towards /o/. The lips start neutral, with
a movement to loosely rounded. The glide is not
always completed, as the movement involved is
extensive.
Asin... house, loud, down, how, bough
a
Difficulties for: A, C, Sp, Tu