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the letters which are employed to represent the diphthongs and triphthongs, are used under the head, Constituents, to represent their radicals only.

Diphthongs. Constituents. | Triphthongs. Constituents.

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There is one diphthong, and three triphthongs, besides those already noticed; they are represented by the italics, in the following words:

oil, ay, boy, buoy.

But, as all their constituents are to be found among the fifteen vowels before enumerated, they do not increase the number of the elements. This may be seen by the following analysis:

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During the utterance of a monothong, the aperture of the mouth remains stationary; but during that of a diphthong, or triphthong, the aperture is gradually diminished till the commencement of the last constituent; it then remains stationary till the sound is ended. This is illustrated by the following diagrams:

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The opening of the tube (Diag. 1,) represents the Aperture of the mouth in the utterance of the mono

I have said that à and are sometimes diphthongs, and some. times triphthongs; hence, above, they appear under both heads.

thong å, and the length of the tube represents the duration of the sound.

The large end of Diag. 2 represents the aperture of the mouth in commencing the utterance of the diphthong - the portion of the figure between 8 and w, shows the gradual diminution of the aperture of the mouth during the utterance of the first constituent, and the remaining portion shows the stationary position of the aperture of the mouth during the utterance of the second constituent.

The large end of Diag. 3, represents the aperture of the mouth in commencing the utterance of the triphthong the portion of the figure between 6 and 8, shows the gradual diminution of the aperture of the mouth during the utterance of the first constituent — the portion between 8 and w, shows the gradual diminution of the aperture of the mouth during the utterance of the second constituent; and the remaining portion of the figure, the stationary position of the aperture of the mouth during the utterance of the third constitu

ent.

CHAPTER III.

THE SUBVOWELS.

B CONSISTS of a vocal sound and an aspirate. The first constituent is formed with the lips closed; the second, by aspirating the vowel å, at the moment of their separation.*

When B is doubled, as in rabbit, the second constituent of the first B is omitted. When B is whispered, the second constituent only is heard. When words in which B is doubled are whispered, the first B is mute.

D consists of a vocal sound and an aspirate. The first constituent is formed with the tip of the tongue

* Care should be taken not to make the second constituent vocal.

pressed against the gums of the upper incisory teeth; the second, by aspirating the vowel ʼn at the moment of its removal.*

When D is doubled, as in addition, the second constituent of the first D is omitted. When D is whispered, the second constituent only is heard. When words in which D is doubled are whispered, the first D is mute.

G consists of a vocal sound and an aspirate. The first constituent is formed with the root of the tongue pressed against the curtain, or vail of the palate; † the second, by aspirating the vowel ů at the moment of its removal.*

When G is doubled, as in haggard, the second constituent of the first G is omitted. When G is whispered, the second constituent only is heard. When words in which G is doubled are whispered, the first G is mute.

L is a vocal sound, made with the tip of the tongue pressed against the gums of the upper incisory teeth. M is a nasal sound, made with the lips closed.

N is a nasal sound, formed with the tip of the tongue pressed against the gums of the upper incisory teeth. NG, as in song, is a nasal sound, formed with the root of the tongue pressed gently against the curtain of the palate.

R is a vocal sound, of which there are two varieties. The first is called the trilled R, and is made by causing the tongue to vibrate against the gums of the upper incisor teeth, while the breath is propelled through the mouth; the second is called the smooth R, and is made with the tip of the tongue elevated towards the centre of the roof of the mouth. R should be trilled when it precedes a vowel, as in roll, crush, &c,; but when it follows a vowel, as in air, orb, &c., it should be made smooth.

I have met with a number of individuals who could not trill the R, and others who did it with difficulty. Those who cannot trill i

Care should be taken not to make the second constituent vocal
In the language of anatomy, velum pendulum palati.

in a graceful manner, had better not attempt it in public; let such, however, not despair their vocal organs may be rendered flexible by frequent and energetic exercise.

TH, as in then, is a compound of vocality and aspiration, formed with the tip of the tongue resting against the inner surface of the upper incisory teeth.

V is a compound of vocality and aspiration. It is formed with the under lip pressed against the edge of the upper incisory teeth."

W is a vocal sound, formed with the lips contracted as in the act of whistling.

Y is a vocal sound, formed with the lips and teeth a little separated.

Z, as in zone, is a buzzing sound, a compound of vocality and aspiration. It is formed by pressing the tip of the tongue gently against the gums of the upper incisors, and forcing out the breath.

Z, as in azure, is a compound of vocality and aspiration. It is formed with the tip of the tongue nearly in the same position as is z in zone, though drawn a little further back, and somewhat widened, so as to enlarge the aperture formed by its upper surface and the roof of the mouth, through which the breath is forced.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ASPIRATES.

F, LIKE V, is formed with the under lip pressed against the upper incisory teeth.

H is the inceptive part of a vowel sound, aspirated in a particular way. H may be uttered in as many varieties of ways as there are vowels in the language; each requiring the same posture of the mouth, which the vowel itself requires.

K is formed by pressing the root of the tongue against

the curtain of the palate, and then aspirating the vcwel ů.

When this element is doubled, as in fickle (pronounced fikkl) the first k is mute.

P is formed by closing the lips, and then aspirating the vowel ů.

When this element is doubled, as in happy, the first P is mute.

S is a hissing sound, and, like z in zone, is formed with the tip of the tongue pressed gently against the gums of the upper incisory teeth. It is nearly the same as z in zone aspirated.

SH is formed with the tongue in the same position as is z in azure. SH is nearly the same sound as z in azure, aspirated.

T is formed by pressing the tip of the tongue against the gums of the upper incisory teeth, and then aspirating the vowel ů.*

When T is doubled, as in attempt, the first T is mute.

TH, as in thin, like th in then, is formed with the tip of the tongue pressed against the upper incisory teeth. It is nearly the same sound as the subvowel TH aspirated.

WH is the inceptive part of the vowel û aspirated in a particular way. The sound which is produced, in the formation of this element, is nearly the same as hủ, whispered. WH requires the same posture of the mouth that the vowe û requires.

That hu and wh are n t identical, may be proved by pronouncing, alternately, the wo ds hoom and whoom, and observing the contrast between them.

Although of no practical importance, it may not be uninteresting to the philosophic reader to know that the second constituent of the subvowels B, D, G, and of the aspirates, K, P, T, is formed by aspirating the vowel ů only when these elements are uttered singly, when they are final, and when they are followed by a consonant. When they are followed by a vowel, their second constituent is formed by aspirating that vowel. This may be rendered obvious by pronouncing forcibly, and deliberately, the words, Bay, Day, Gay, and Kay, Pay, Tay, or any other words, in which B, D, G, and K, P, T are followed by vowels.

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