how to make syllables

inNout · October 28, 2003, 3:53am

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?

benissimus · October 28, 2003, 6:14am

“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.

tadwelessar · October 28, 2003, 7:44am

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

inNout · October 28, 2003, 4:12pm

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

benissimus · October 28, 2003, 4:33pm

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.

inNout · October 28, 2003, 6:29pm

Makes sense, thanks.

Keesa · October 28, 2003, 11:44pm

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

klewlis · October 29, 2003, 12:33am

there is no ia diphthong.

au
ae
eu
ei
oe
ui

tadwelessar · October 29, 2003, 5:53am

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?

klewlis · October 29, 2003, 6:01am

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

benissimus · October 29, 2003, 6:32am

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.

Emma_85 · October 29, 2003, 9:31am

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

benissimus · October 29, 2003, 9:36am

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

e.g. δικαιοπολις=Dicaeopolis
κομοιδια=comoedia

Keesa · October 29, 2003, 12:28pm

Why, so there isn’t. My mistake.