Diphthong: Difference between revisions
imported>Stefan Olejniczak No edit summary |
imported>John Stephenson (Diphthongs are not always stressed; vowel in 'beat' is not a diphthong; emphasising phonetic/phonological definition) |
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[[Image:Terms In Dactylic Hexameter.jpg|thumb|right|300px|alt=Diagram.|Selected terms relating to the dactylic hexameter.]] | [[Image:Terms In Dactylic Hexameter.jpg|thumb|right|300px|alt=Diagram.|Selected terms relating to the dactylic hexameter.]] | ||
''' | A '''diphthong''' is a type of speech sound, which is articulated through the [[tongue]] commencing in the position of a single [[vowel]] and moving continuously in the direction of another. For example, [əʊ] in [[English language|English]] ''low'' is a diphthong. It is important to note that this is ''not'' the same as a sequence of [ə] followed by [ʊ], which are distinct vowels pronounced as part of different [[syllable]]s, whereas a diphthong is pronounced as part of a single syllable. The term is originally from [[Greek (language)|Greek]], meaning "double sound". | ||
In [[historical linguistics]], the phenomenon that a [[monophthong]] gradually evolves into a diphthong is called [[diphthongization]] or vowel breaking. | In [[historical linguistics]], the phenomenon that a [[monophthong]] gradually evolves into a diphthong is called [[diphthongization]] or vowel breaking. | ||
Diphthongs were used in [[epic]] [[poetry]] in | Diphthongs were used in [[epic]] [[poetry]] in [[dactylic hexameter]], which is also known as "heroic hexameter". This is a form of [[meter (poetry)|meter]] in [[poetry]] or a rhythmic scheme. It is traditionally associated with classical [[epic]] [[poetry]] in both [[Greek language|Greek]] and [[Latin (language)|Latin]] and was considered to be ''the'' Grand Style of [[Classics|classical]] poetry. It is used in [[Homer]]'s ''[[Iliad]]'' and ''[[Odyssey]]'' and [[Virgil]]'s ''[[Aeneid]]''. | ||
==Further information== | ==Further information== | ||
* See hexametrica [http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/classics/courses/metrica/glossary.html Glossary of terms relating to dactylic hexameter] | * See hexametrica [http://www.skidmore.edu/academics/classics/courses/metrica/glossary.html Glossary of terms relating to dactylic hexameter] | ||
Revision as of 10:39, 10 December 2011
A diphthong is a type of speech sound, which is articulated through the tongue commencing in the position of a single vowel and moving continuously in the direction of another. For example, [əʊ] in English low is a diphthong. It is important to note that this is not the same as a sequence of [ə] followed by [ʊ], which are distinct vowels pronounced as part of different syllables, whereas a diphthong is pronounced as part of a single syllable. The term is originally from Greek, meaning "double sound".
In historical linguistics, the phenomenon that a monophthong gradually evolves into a diphthong is called diphthongization or vowel breaking.
Diphthongs were used in epic poetry in dactylic hexameter, which is also known as "heroic hexameter". This is a form of meter in poetry or a rhythmic scheme. It is traditionally associated with classical epic poetry in both Greek and Latin and was considered to be the Grand Style of classical poetry. It is used in Homer's Iliad and Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid.
Further information
- See hexametrica Glossary of terms relating to dactylic hexameter