Definition
diphthongising
verb
- converting a single vowel sound into a diphthong; changing a vowel to a two-part vowel sound
Usage: British English spelling (American: diphthongizing); linguistics, phonetics
Examples
- The linguist is diphthongising the vowel in that word to match the regional dialect.
- Over centuries, the language underwent diphthongising of several short vowels.
- Diphthongising certain sounds can change how speakers perceive pronunciation.
- The process of diphthongising affected the evolution of Middle English vowels.