2.2 Triphthongs

The most complex English sounds of the vowel type are the triphthongs /'trIfTPNz/. They consist of a glide from one vowel to another and then to a third, all produced rapidly and without interruption.

The triphthongs can be looked on as being composed of the five closing diphthongs with /q/ added on the end.

eI + q = eIq	qV + q = qVq
aI + q = aIq	aV + q = aVq
OI + q = OIq

In fast speech the extent of the vowel movement is very small, except in very careful pronunciation. Because of this, the middle of the triphthong can hardly be heard and the resulting sound is difficult to distinguish from some of the diphthongs and long vowels.

3. Lab works

3.1 Lab work 3 Diphthongs and triphthongs

Exercise 6 Repetition

Listen and repeat, making sure that the second part of the diphthong is weak.

eI	mate [meIt]	made [meId]	main [meIn]	mace [meIs]
aI	right [raIt]	ride [raid]	rhyme [raIm]	rice [raIs]
OI	quoit [kOIt]	buoyed [bOId]	Boyne [bOIn]	Royce [rOIs]
qV	coat [kqVt]	code [kqVd]	cone [kqVn]	close [klqVs]
aV	gout [gaVt]	loud [laVd]	gown [gaVn]	louse [laVs]
Iq		feared [fIqd]	Ian [Iqn]	fierce [fIqs]
eq		cared [keqd]	cairn [keqn]	scarce [skeqs]
Vq		moored [mVqd]	fuel [fjVql]

Exercise 7 Transcription

Write the symbol for the diphthong you hear in each word (1…12).

Exercise 8 Repetition

Listen and repeat:

eIq	layer [leIq]
aIq	liar [laIq]
OIq	loyal [lOIql]
qVq	lower [lqVq]
aVq	tower [taVq]

3.2 Lab work 5 Revision

Exercise 1 Vowels and diphthongs

Listen and repeat:

R and E:	eI and e	aI and R
barn burn are err fast first cart curt lark lurk	fade fed sale sell laid led paste pest late let	life laugh tight tart pike park hide hard spike spark
OI and L	qV and L	Iq and J
toy tore coin corn boil ball boy bore foil fall	phone fawn boat bought code cord stoke stork bowl ball	fear fee beard bead mere me steered steed peer pea
eq and eI	eq and Iq	Vq and L
dare day stared stayed pairs pays hair hay mare may	fare fear pair pier stare steer air ear snare sneer	poor paw sure shore moor more dour door tour tore

Exercise 2 Triphthongs

Listen and repeat:

eIq	player [pleIq]
aIq	tyre [taIq]
OIq	loyal [lOIql]
qVq	mower [mqVq]
aVq	shower [SaVq]

Exercise 3 Transcription of words

You should now be able to recognise all the vowels, diphthongs and triphthongs of English, and all the plosives. Now you will hear one-syllable English words composed of these sounds. Each word will be said twice. Transcribe these words (1…20).

Exercise 4 Production

When you hear the number you should say the word; you will then hear the correct pronunciation, which you should repeat.

1. kJp	6. kxb	11. dAk	16. taId
2. bqVt	7. geIt	12. kqVp	17. bIqd
3. kAp	8. keqd	13. dPg	18. pVt
4. dE:t	9. taIqd	14. kaVqd	19. bAg
5. baIk	10. bE:d	15. beIk	20. daVt

Exercise 5 Fortis/lenis discrimination

When you hear the word, say “fortis” if you hear it as ending with a fortis consonant, and “lenis” if you hear it as ending with a lenis consonant. You will then hear the correct answer and the word will be said again for you to repeat.

Fortis	Lenis	Fortis	Lenis
1. right [raIt]	ride [raid]	6. right [raIt]	ride [raid]
2. bat [bxt]	bad [bxd]	7. tack [txk]	tag [txg]
3. bet [bet]	bed [bed]	8. rope [rqVp]	robe [rqVb]
4. leak [lJk]	league [lJg]	9. mate [meIt]	made [meId]
5. feet [fJt]	feed [fJd]	10. beat [bJt]	bead [bJd]