What is an ambiguous vowel sequence?

Definition
	An ambiguous vowel sequence is a phonetic string (segment or sequence) that may be interpreted as a
	diphthong two separate vowels, or a vowel and a consonant.

Kinds

Here are some kinds of ambiguous vowels sequences with an example of each:

Ambiguous vowel sequence	Example
Vocalic sequence in which one member is close	[ai]
Complex vowel	[y]
Modified vowels Nasalized Retroflexed Breathy Laryngealized (creaky)	[e)] [eÕ] [e-] [e0]

Concept module: ambiguous vowel sequence
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): A
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 23 April 2002