CHAPTER 3.2: Diphthongs and Triphthongs

            Diphthongs are types of vowels where two adjacent vowel sounds are connected in the same syllable in a continuous, gliding motion. They are often referred to as gliding vowels. A vowel which remains constant and does not glide is called a pure vowel. Also, the total number of diphthongs is eight, for example:

It's useful to distinguish between rising and centring diphthongs:

Rising to I: PRICE aI, FACE eI, and CHOICE ɔI

Rising to Ʊ: GOAT əƱ, and MOUTH aƱ

Centring to : əNEAR Ie, SQUARE eə, and CURE Ʊə

            On the other hand, triphthongs are the combination of three vowels in the same syllable: A strong vowel in between two weak vowels. "a", "e" and "o" are strong vowels. They never form diphthongs together. They may form diphthongs and triphthongs only in combination with "I" and "U". Also, triphthongs can be rather difficult to pronounce, and very difficult to recognize. The triphthongs can be looked on as being can be looked on as being composed of the diphthongs, for example:

RESOURCES:

http://www.ompersonal.com.ar/omphonetics/diphthongs/practice2.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-diphthongs.htm

http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/diphthongs_and_triphthongs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4Q1QN-SFCM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qlak3Hvpjho