how to make syllables

by **inNout** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 3:53 am

Hi, my first post!

I am trying to work out how to divde the word vias into syllables.
Does the vowel combination ia make a diphthong? Or is the i here regarded as i consonant? In which case I can't decide how to make the division.

Thanks,
inNout

edit:
Is it proper to regard diphthongs as a single vowel?

Website · by **benissimus** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:14 am

"I" usually only functions as a consonant when it begins a word and is followed by a vowel or is wedged between two vowels. Therefore VIAS would be divided into VI-AS (thankfully... I would hate to try to pronounce that in one syllable). There are of course exceptions, but that is the basic rule.

by **tadwelessar** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:44 am

Yes, I agree with benissimus; the word is divided into 2 syllables: vi-as

by **inNout** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:12 pm

Having a bit of trouble following your reasoning.
vias has neither a consonant between two vowels nor does I begin the word.
Can you please explain?

inNout

Website · by **benissimus** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 4:33 pm

Yes, since it is neither the first letter of a word and directly preceding a vowel, nor is it between two vowels, it is pronounced as a vowel. If it did fit either of those criteria then it would be a consonant or consonant/vowel.

It's the same thing as with V (U). Recall that both V and U are the same letter. Because VIAS begins with a V followed by a vowel, it is pronounced as a consonant. However, in the word AVDIVERAT, the first V is a vowel, but the second is a consonant because of its position between two vowels.

by **inNout** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 6:29 pm

Makes sense, thanks.

by **Keesa** » Tue Oct 28, 2003 11:44 pm

How can you tell that ia is two different vowels, and not a dipthong?

by **klewlis** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 12:33 am

there is no ia diphthong.

au
ae
eu
ei
oe
ui

by **tadwelessar** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 5:53 am

Are you sure there are so many diphtongs? In my book there are only 4 ones:
au
eu
ae
oe
Where did you found the others?

by **klewlis** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 6:01 am

all 6 are in wheelock. plus it just makes sense (to me).

Website · by **benissimus** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 6:32 am

There are actually more, but they are rare and archaic...

AI = AE
OI = OE

I think I am forgetting some; you can find them all in Allen & Greenough's.

by **Emma_85** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:31 am

maybe the ai and oi are when they used some greek words?

Website · by **benissimus** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 9:36 am

Actually I think they are just the original diphthongs. When they used Greek words they converted them into the Latin format...

e.g. [face=spionic]Dikaiopolij[/face]=Dicaeopolis
[face=spionic]komoidia[/face]=comoedia

by **Keesa** » Wed Oct 29, 2003 12:28 pm

klewlis wrote:there is no ia diphthong.

Why, so there isn't. My mistake.

how to make syllables

how to make syllables

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