016 EAR as in Here
3: The 13 Compound Vowels: 8 Diphthongs, 5 Triphthongs
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2m 48s
This is I as in “hit” plus the neutral “uh” as in actor. A good way to hear the full vowel is to say “eater” and then say it again but without the “T”: EAR. Often, this vowel can be cut in half so “here” becomes “he”.
Up Next in 3: The 13 Compound Vowels: 8 Diphthongs, 5 Triphthongs
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017 AY as in Say
The next sound is AY as in “say” which is “E” as in “Glen” plus “I” as in “hit”. Some accents can substitute “I” as in “eye” for this sound - Eliza Doolittle, for example!
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018 I as in Eye Spy
Again, take care when an “L” follows this sound or else “smile” can become “smy-ul”. Some accents can push EYE towards OY giving us “Oy spoy…”
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019 AIR as in Fair
The next lip diphthong is
19 AIR as in “fair”
Which we make by combining “e” as in “Glen” with the neutral vowel “uh” as in “actor”. E-uh AIR.
This sound is very frequently just cut clean in half. Instead of “The air there is fair.” We hear “The e the…”. Many students can find this sound very...
