Diphthongs can be categorized into two main types:
-
Closing Diphthongs: These diphthongs involve a movement from a more open vowel sound to a closer vowel sound. Examples include:
- /aɪ/ as in "my"
- /aʊ/ as in "how"
- /eɪ/ as in "day"
- /ɔɪ/ as in "boy"
-
Centring Diphthongs: These involve a movement towards a central vowel sound, typically the schwa /ə/. Examples include:
- /ɪə/ as in "near"
- /eə/ as in "hair"
- /ʊə/ as in "tour"
These classifications help in understanding how diphthongs function in different languages and dialects.
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