Question

There are ___ pure vowels or monophthongs and __ diphthongs or vowel glides in English RP.

• A. 10, 10
• B. 12, 8
• C. 8, 12
• D. 14, 6

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 12, 8

In Received Pronunciation (RP) English:

• There are 12 pure vowels (monophthongs) — these are single, steady vowel sounds.

• There are 8 diphthongs (vowel glides) — these are sounds where the tongue glides from one vowel position toward another within a single syllable.