Page 12 - Demo

3. Diphthongs %u2013 Two vowels, one syllableIn Spanish, diphthongs combine a strong vowel (a, e, o) and a weak vowel (i, u). The strong vowel carries the emphasis. Don%u2019t split into two syllables unless clearly accented.Examples:%u2022 ai %u2192 strong vowel: a%u2022 se%u00e1is %u2192 [se-A-eess] (not a diphthong in this case %u2013 the accent breaks it)%u2022 ie %u2192 strong vowel: e%u2022 enciende %u2192 [en-THYEN-de]Gliding i into e, but emphasis is on the e%u2022 ue %u2192 strong vowel: e%u2022 duerme (not in this text, but common): DWER-me%u2022 io %u2192 strong vowel: o%u2022 durmi%u00f3 %u2192 [dur-MYEEO] (emphasis on the o)%u2022 ua %u2192 strong vowel: a%u2022 cu%u00e1l %u2192 [kwal] (tight diphthong; both vowels in one syllable)%u2022 ei %u2192 strong vowel: e%u2022 veis (not in this text)%u2192 [veys]Important: Don%u2019t create additional diphthongs.For instance:%u2022 E should not become %u201cay%u201d %u2192 enciende is [en-THYEN-de], not [en-THYEN-day]%u2022 O should not become %u201coh%u201d %u2192 dolorido is [do-lo-REE-do], not doh-loh-REE-doh4. Tricky Words to Rehearse%u2022 ruise%u00f1or %u2013 [rwee-se-NYOR]%u2022 hijuelos %u2013 [ee-HWE-los]%u2022 dolorido %u2013 [do-lo-REE-do]%u2022 separar%u00e1 %u2013 [se-pa-ra-RA]Each %u201ca%u201d pronounced cleanly; watch the rhythmic stress.%u2022 resucitado %u2013 [re-soo-thee-TA-do]Focus on vowel purity.