Monophthong vs. Diphthong — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on December 17, 2023
Monophthong is a single, unchanging vowel sound in a syllable. Diphthong is a complex vowel sound that begins as one vowel and transitions to another.
Difference Between Monophthong and Diphthong
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Monophthongs and Diphthongs are types of vowel sounds in linguistics. A Monophthong is a vowel sound that remains constant throughout its duration. It is a single, pure vowel sound. For example, the vowel sound in "cat" is a monophthong. In contrast, a Diphthong involves a change in the quality of the vowel sound within the same syllable. It starts as one vowel sound and glides into another, as in the word "coin," where the sound starts as an 'o' and moves to an 'i'.
The pronunciation of Monophthongs is simpler compared to Diphthongs. When pronouncing a Monophthong, the mouth position does not change from the beginning to the end of the vowel sound. For instance, the 'a' in "father" is a monophthong and is pronounced with a single mouth position. On the other hand, Diphthongs require a shift in the mouth position during pronunciation. The word "loud" contains a diphthong where the mouth shifts from the position for 'o' to that for 'u'.
In terms of phonetic complexity, Monophthongs are considered simpler since they involve a single vowel sound. They are foundational in many languages and are usually among the first sounds learned by children. Diphthongs, however, are more complex and can vary greatly in pronunciation across different languages and dialects. They add richness and variation to speech patterns.
The use of Monophthongs and Diphthongs can significantly affect the rhythm and intonation of a language. Languages with a high number of Monophthongs tend to have more straightforward vowel systems, while those with numerous Diphthongs often have more complex vowel sounds. This complexity can influence the musicality and intonation patterns of a language.
In English, both Monophthongs and Diphthongs are essential components of the phonetic system. English Monophthongs, like the 'e' in "bed," are crucial for clarity and simplicity in speech. English Diphthongs, such as the sound in "boy," contribute to the language's distinct sound and fluidity.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A single, unchanging vowel sound
A vowel sound that changes within a syllable
Pronunciation
Constant mouth position
Shifting mouth position
Phonetic Complexity
Simpler, single sound
More complex, two sounds in one
Example in English
'a' in "cat"
'oy' in "boy"
Role in Language
Foundational, affects clarity
Adds richness, affects musicality
Compare with Definitions
Monophthong
A vowel sound with a single unchanging quality.
The 'u' in cup is a monophthong.
Diphthong
A complex vowel sound that changes within a syllable.
The word bike contains a diphthong in 'i'.
Monophthong
A simple vowel sound in a syllable.
In bat, the 'a' is a monophthong.
Diphthong
A vowel sound combining two adjacent vowel sounds.
Boy includes a diphthong in 'oy'.
Monophthong
A vowel with a consistent sound.
The word ship contains a monophthong in 'i'.
Diphthong
A gliding vowel sound in a single syllable.
The 'ei' in eight forms a diphthong.
Monophthong
A single uncompounded vowel sound.
Diphthong
A vowel sound starting as one vowel and ending as another.
In house, the 'ou' is a diphthong.
Monophthong
A vowel sound without a glide.
In cat, the 'a' is a straightforward monophthong.
Diphthong
(rare) A vowel digraph or ligature.
Monophthong
A single, pure vowel sound.
The 'o' in hot is a classic monophthong.
Diphthong
A vowel that changes quality mid-syllable.
In coin, the 'oi' sound is a diphthong.
Monophthong
A monophthong ( MON-əf-thong, MON-əp-; from Ancient Greek μονόφθογγος (monóphthongos) 'one sound', from μόνος (mónos) 'single', and φθόγγος (phthóngos) 'sound') is a pure vowel sound, one whose articulation at both beginning and end is relatively fixed, and which does not glide up or down towards a new position of articulation. The monophthongs can be contrasted with diphthongs, where the vowel quality changes within the same syllable, and hiatus, where two vowels are next to each other in different syllables.
Diphthong
A diphthong ( DIF-thong or DIP-thong; from Greek: δίφθογγος, diphthongos, literally "double sound" or "double tone"; from δίς "twice" and φθόγγος "sound"), also known as a gliding vowel, is a combination of two adjacent vowel sounds within the same syllable. Technically, a diphthong is a vowel with two different targets: that is, the tongue (and/or other parts of the speech apparatus) moves during the pronunciation of the vowel.
Monophthong
Two written vowels representing a single sound, as oa in boat.
Diphthong
A complex speech sound or glide that begins with one vowel and gradually changes to another vowel within the same syllable, as (oi) in boil or (ī) in fine.
Monophthong
A vowel (in the sense of a sound rather than a letter of the alphabet) that has the same sound throughout its pronunciation, such as the short vowels in "pap", "pep", "pip", "pop" and "pup", as opposed to a diphthong (eg, /aɪ/, the vowel in "pipe") or a triphthong (eg, /aɪə/, the sound in the non-rhotic pronunciation of "pyre").
Diphthong
(phonetics) A complex vowel sound that begins with the sound of one vowel and ends with the sound of another vowel, in the same syllable.
Monophthong
A single vowel articulated without change in quality throughout the course of a syllable, as the vowel of English bed.
Diphthong
A coalition or union of two vowel sounds pronounced in one syllable; as, ou in out, oi in noise; - called a proper diphthong.
Monophthong
A combination of two written vowels pronounced as one; a digraph.
Diphthong
To form or pronounce as a diphthong; diphthongize.
Diphthong
A vowel sound that starts near the articulatory position for one vowel and moves toward the position for another
Common Curiosities
What is a monophthong?
A monophthong is a vowel sound that has a single, unchanging sound quality.
How many sounds are in a diphthong?
A diphthong combines two distinct vowel sounds within one syllable.
Are monophthongs common in English?
Yes, monophthongs are common and form the basis of many English vowel sounds.
Is 'ea' in 'bread' a diphthong?
No, 'ea' in 'bread' is pronounced as a single sound, making it a monophthong.
What's an example of a diphthong?
The 'ai' in "rain" is an example of a diphthong.
Can a monophthong change in quality?
No, a monophthong maintains the same sound quality throughout its pronunciation.
How do you identify a diphthong in a word?
A diphthong is identified by a change in sound within a single syllable.
Can monophthongs alter the rhythm of speech?
Yes, the simplicity of monophthongs can affect the rhythm and speed of speech.
Are monophthongs easier to pronounce than diphthongs?
Generally, monophthongs are considered easier due to their consistent sound quality.
How do diphthongs affect pronunciation?
Diphthongs create a gliding sound, adding complexity and richness to pronunciation.
Do all languages have diphthongs?
Many languages have diphthongs, but their presence and type vary.
Are diphthongs important for accent and dialect?
Yes, the pronunciation of diphthongs can vary significantly between accents and dialects.
Can a single vowel letter represent a diphthong?
In some languages, a single vowel letter can represent a diphthong.
Do monophthongs have glides?
No, monophthongs do not have glides; they are characterized by a steady sound.
Is the 'oo' in 'moon' a monophthong or diphthong?
It's a monophthong, as the sound quality remains constant.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
