What is a 'Diphthong' in English phonetics and pronunciation?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: C. A complex vowel sound in which the tongue glides smoothly from one vowel position to another in a single syllable
- Step 1: A diphthong is a gliding vowel sound (e.g. /aɪ/ in 'bite', /aʊ/ in 'house', /ɔɪ/ in 'boy'). Step 2. The acoustic quality changes as the tongue transitions within the same syllable. Answer: A complex vowel sound in which the tongue glides smoothly from one vowel position to another in a single syllable. Why not the others: Consonant clusters are blends; silent letters are unvoiced; clicks are non-pulmonic consonants.
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