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Re: Diphthongs (was Re: 3 q's - X-Sampa)

From:Trebor Jung <treborjung@...>
Date:Wednesday, February 11, 2004, 2:41
Merhaba!

Tamas wrote:

"I don't think so. As far as I know, every vowel forms a separate syllable,
there're no diphthogues at all, moreover, /u/ and /w/ are two separate phonemes
in Kiribatese."

Yes, I think that's right. Justin Rye (http://www.xibalba.demon.co.uk/jbr/) gives
another example in his "Ranto": Tahitian 'aueue, meaning (coincidentally)
'trouble'! I seem to remember reading that in Tahitian, all the vowels are
pronounced separrately, so 'aueue might be
[?a.u.E.u.E] (only guessing here tho). Anyone know good English sources for info on
Tahitian? Is the use of "." to indicate non-diphthongness correct?)

--Trebor