Fig. 58.
Definition.The nucleus of the diphthong is the front-retracted, close (broad variant), unrounded vowel [i] (not [t]).
Articulation. The nucleus is the vowel [ij(see p. 89). For the glide the tongue moves in the direction of-the neutral vowel (ý). The lips are slightly spread for the nucleus and are neutral for the glide.
The diphthong |i3] occurs in all positions of the word, eg ear — ears — pierce.
Allophones.The nucleus of this diphthong is longer in the open syllable. It is shorter in the closed syllable with a weak voiced consonant at the end and it is much shorter in the closed syllable with a strong voiceless consonant at the end, cf beer — beard — theatre.
Recommendations.Start with Articulation Exercises II, 4; 111, 11. Take a mirror and practise the sound changing the position of the lips from slightly spread to neutral. Make the glide very weak.
Comparison with the Russian Sound Combination [èà].The Russian sound combination starts with a closer sound and ends in a very strong open vowel, cf fierce — ôèàëêà.
The English diphthong is nearer to the unstressed position of the Russian combination [èà] like in ïèàíèíî.
Possible Mistakes. 1.[èç] — the nucleus should be less close and less front.
2. [ia] — the glide is too strong. It should be noticeably weak-ýã.
3. [i:j — a monophthongal variant. It is often heard in polysyllabic words where the diphthongs meet twice, eg serious, period, materialism.
[åý]
are — care, parents ere — there, where
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| Fig. 59. |
ear — bear, wear
Definition.The nucleus of the diphthong is front, open (narrow variant), unrounded.
Articulation.The nucleus of this diphthong is a vowel between [e] and [ae]. The tongue is in the half-open front position. For the glide the tongue moves in the direction of the neutral sound (ý]. The lips are neutral.
The diphthong [åý] occurs in all positions of the word, eg airy — various — hair.
AJlophones.The nucleus of the diphthong is much longer in final position. In closed syllables ending in a weak consonant it is shorter. It is the shortest before a strong consonant, cf care — cared — scarce.
Recommendations.Start with Articulation Exercise II, 4.
Take a mirror and practise the sound. The mouth must be open. It is very helpful to begin the nucleus from the quality of [ae]. Make the glide very weak except the cases when it is final, cf bad — bared — bare.
Comparison with the Russian Sound Combination [ýà].The 4ussian sound combination [ýà] is equal in its elements, though , is a rare combination for Russian, cf care — îêåàí.
Possible Mistakes.1. [ea] — the starting point is too close. In this case the tongue should be kept much lower in the mouth.
2. [ea] — the second element is too strong, it should be weaker.
è — cure, fury ue — cruel, fluent
oor — poor, moor ewer, uer — fewer, truer
our — tour, tourist
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