Lesson 5

How to say it - /aɪ/ & /aʊ/

Introduction

/aɪ/ sound

This diphthong sounds like the name of the letter 'i'. The spellings for this sound are 'uy' as in 'buy' /baɪ/, 'ye' as in 'Bye-bye ' /'baɪbaɪ/, 'i' as in 'mine' /maɪn/, 'ei' as in 'height' /haɪt/, and 'ie' as in 'tie' /taɪ/.


To make this sound, first say /ɑː/, then move your tongue up and forward to the /ɪ/ position, and close your mouth as you say the sound.



/aʊ/ sound

This diphthong is spelt 'ow' as in 'cow' /kaʊ/, and 'ou' as in 'house' /haʊs/.


To make this sound, first say /æ/, then close your mouth a bit and move your tongue up and back to a /uː/ sound, not to the /ʊ/ sound, because this is a long 'u' sound.




Video of Mouth

Follow the instructions as they appear in the video.

/aɪ/ sound

 

/aʊ/ sound



Pronunciation Tips

/aɪ/ sound

 

/aʊ/ sound