What is the difference between pure vowel and diphthong?

The main difference between a pure vowel and a diphthong lies in how the tongue and mouth position changes during the sound production:

Pure Vowel:

* Single sound: The tongue and mouth remain in a single, unchanging position throughout the entire pronunciation of the vowel.

* Stable sound: The sound remains consistent without any noticeable shift or glide.

* Examples: /a/ as in "father", /i/ as in "machine", /u/ as in "flute"

Diphthong:

* Two sounds: The tongue and mouth position changes gradually during the pronunciation, creating a gliding effect.

* Shifting sound: The sound starts in one position and moves to another within the same syllable.

* Examples: /aɪ/ as in "my", /ɔɪ/ as in "boy", /eɪ/ as in "say"

Here's a simple analogy:

* Imagine a pure vowel as a single note played on a piano.

* Imagine a diphthong as a quick slide from one note to another on the piano.

Here's a table summarizing the key differences:

| Feature | Pure Vowel | Diphthong |

|---|---|---|

| Tongue/Mouth Position | Single, unchanging | Gradually shifts |

| Sound | Stable | Shifting, gliding |

| Duration | Single sound | Two sounds within one syllable |

| Examples | /a/, /i/, /u/ | /aɪ/, /ɔɪ/, /eɪ/ |

Remember, the specific vowels and diphthongs vary depending on the language.