Practice question · Numerical answer
How many diphthongs does the standard analysis of RP recognise?
Hints
- Five move towards a close vowel and three towards schwa.
- Eight.
Show the answer
8
Why
Eight: five closing and three centring. The centring set is the unstable part of the inventory. GA lacks it entirely, and within RP the cure diphthong is merging with the vowel of thought for many younger speakers.
Practise English Vowels II: Diphthongs and Reduction
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More questions on English Vowels II: Diphthongs and Reduction
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