Centring diphthongs (15/12-20/12)

6. /iə/

• In this diphthong both elements are short, but the accent falls on the first one.
• When this diphthong is followed by an “r”, this consonant is not pronounced except when the following syllable or word begins with a vowel, in this case, a linking “r” can be pronounced.
• This sound is difficult for most students, although it will be used quite frequently in many words: here, hear, fear, dear.

Spelling:

• Ea: dear, hear, ear, near.
• Er, eer: deer, beer, here.
• Other spellings: idea, real, museum.

7. /eə/

• The first sound is an /e/ but you have to make it a little longer, then add /ə/. Most students produce the –er ending with the “r” always pronounced.
• There’s a book on the table.
• It’s there.

Spelling:

• Are: share, scare, mare, care.
• Air: chair, pair, air.
• Beer, near, here, chair, where, airport, square. 

8. /oə/

• The diphthong /oə/ is normally replaced by a /ɔ:/ by RP speakers, that is why I do not think it is important but although we do not care about its production you should understand it.

Spelling:

• Oar, ore, our, oor: boar, for, soar, your, pour more, door.

9. /uə/

• The first element is a /u/ and the second one is a /ə/.
• It is often pronounced /ɔ:/ or /ɔ/. Look at the following examples:
• Poor: [puə], [poə], [pɔ:]
• Sure: [ʃuə], [ʃoə], [ʃɔ:]

Spellings:

• Ou, ure, oor: tour, pure, moor.