There are two centering diphthongs in English:
- /ɪə/ (ear) as in beer, fear, near
- /ʊə/ (ure) as in tour, poor, sure
These diphthongs are called "centering" because the tongue glides towards the center of the mouth during their pronunciation.
Examples:
- /ɪə/ (ear): beer, fear, near, here, steer
- /ʊə/ (ure): tour, poor, sure, pure, cure
Practical Insights:
Centering diphthongs are often confused with other vowel sounds, particularly in non-native speakers. Understanding the tongue movement and the sound produced can help distinguish them.
