| ^x The Part x. of the x. Tongue n^ Raised The Height . of the Tongue X. | Front | Front-retracted | Central | Back-advanced | Back | |
| High | Narrow variant | è i: | — | û | — | I | |
| Broad variant | — | 1 1(3) | — | è è(ý) | ||
| Mid | Nanow variant | e e|i) | — | ã. ç|è) | — | — |
| Broad variant | ý | — | Ý ë | — | ||
| Low | Narrow variant | Ô) | — | — | — | ý: |
| Broad variant | 3S | a a(i. u) | — | D |
Allophones.The nucleus of the diphthong is longer in th^ open syllable and shorter in the closed syllable, cf ñèòå — cured.
In recent years the diphthong [ýý] is often observed as a vari ant of the sound [èý] in final position in such common words .is sure, poor, etc.
Recommendations.Start with Articulation Exercise II,2.
Take a mirror and practise the sound being very slightly founded. There is no lip protrusion whatsoever. The glide is very weak.
Comparison with the Russian Sound Combination [ya].This sound combination is not common for the Russian language, it is mostly met in borrowed words. The elements of the combination are equal in their prominence. The first element is pronounded with strongly rounded and protruded lips, cf tour — òóàëåò.
Possible Mistakes. 1.[óý]. Care should be taken not to round the lips very strongly. There is no protrusion whatsoever. The nucleus is less close and less back.
2. [ua] or [èý]. The glide should be made much weaker.