Allophones used only when singing // was I *almost* understand the IPA!

John Cowan wrote, quoting myself:

> > The vowels [e_j] and [o_w] do not occur in Australian speech,
> > but they are common when singing, as allophones of [{I] and [3\}]
> > respectively.
>
> IOW you speak in Australian but sing in American (or Irish).
It's easier to sing monophthongs than diphthongs.

I would even hypothesise that if a rich tradition of singing is
particularly important to a culture, then that culture will be
more likely to evolve a high monophthong:diphthong ratio in its
phonology. I suggest the Irish tradition as an example.

Adrian.

(who owns some comprehensive books on Irish musical traditions -
it's quite interesting)