Linking vowel to vowel

‍Definition

When we link two vowel sounds together, we create what is called a vowel glide. This is a very common sound in English, and you can hear it in words like "baa" or "bee." There are actually three different types of vowel glide, each created by linking different vowel sounds together.

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Types

• The first type is called a diphthong, and it's created when two different vowel sounds are linked together in a single syllable. The most common diphthong in English is "oi," as in the word "boil." Other examples include "au," as in "bauxite," and "ow," as in "bowl."

• The second type of vowel glide is called a triphthong, and it's created when three different vowel sounds are linked together in a single syllable. The most common triphthong in English is "ou," as in the word "bout." Other examples include "ie," as in "tie," and "uo," as in "tuition."

• Finally, the third type of vowel glide is called a quadrilateral, and it's created when four different vowel sounds are linked together in a single syllable. The only common quadrilateral in English is "eau," as in the word "beautiful."

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So, those are the three types of vowel glide: diphthongs, triphthongs, and quadrilaterals. Each is created by linking two or more vowel sounds together.

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Examples

Here are some more examples of word pairs that are linked with Y.

• lay out, may I, say it
• he ate, she is, we are
• high up, my arm, why ever

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Here are some more examples of word pairs that are linked with W.

• no other, show off, grow up
• you are, too often, throw it

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Conclusion

A very small /y/ or /w/ is placed between the words, linking one word to the next, to make a seamless, fluid transition from a word ending in a vowel sound into a word beginning with a vowel sound. This enables the independent occurrence of both vowel sounds without obstructing the airflow between syllables.

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For most learners, it becomes obvious whether to link vowels together with /y/ or /w/: linking with the incorrect sound will feel and sound odd.

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