• merc@sh.itjust.works
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    10 days ago

    No, neither are diphthongs. I guess the two examples I chose can be pronounced as diphthongs.

    “é” the “acute” accent is pronounced like day, fiancé / fiancée. English has a tendency to make those into diphthongs, especially if you’re speaking slowly. But if you’re speaking quickly and it’s between consonants like say “mandate” you don’t really hear the second vowel sound in that supposed diphthong. But, it’s just the /e/ vowel sound in IPA. In any case, it’s a sound that English speakers make and can hear.

    “è” the “grave” accent is pronounced like pet, jet, etc. It’s /ɛ/ in IPA.