Place of Articulation

1. Bilabials /p, b, m/ — both lips

2. Labiodentals /f, v/ — lower lip against upper teeth

3. Dentals /θ, ð/ — articulated by the tongue tip against the upper teeth

4. Alveolars /t, d, n, l, s, z/ — tongue tip against the alveolar ridge

5. Post-alveolars /r, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/

6. Palato-alveolars /ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/

7. Palatal /j/

8. Velars /k, g, ŋ/

9. Labio-velar /w/

10. Glottal stop /ʔ/

Diphthongs

A diphthong is a combination of two vowel sounds, where the pronunciation glides from one vowel to another.

Centering diphthongs

• /ɪə/

• /eə/

• /ʊə/

Closing diphthongs

• /eɪ/

• /aɪ/

• /ɔɪ/

• /aʊ/

• /əʊ/

Monophthongs

A pure vowel is called a monophthong.

Triphthongs

A triphthong is a combination of three vowel sounds.

The notes list the five common English triphthongs:

• /eɪə/

• /ɔɪə/

• /aɪə/

• /əʊə/

• /aʊə/

Syllables

A syllable is a group of sounds that are pronounced together.

Syllabic consonant

A consonant that can function as the nucleus of a syllable.

Minimal syllable

A single vowel pronounced in isolation.