a mat
o hot
e met
oo book
i it
u us
Diphthongs.
oi, oy, as in oil, boy.
ou, ow, as in out, now.
REMARK I.--In this table, the short sounds are nearly or quite the same,
in quantity, as the long sounds. The difference consists chiefly in
quality. Let the pupil determine this fact by experiment.
REMARK II.--The vocals are often represented by other letters or
combinations of letters than those used in the table: for instance, a is
represented by ai as in hail, by ea as in steak, etc.
REMARK III.--As a general rule, the long vocals and the diphthongs should
be articulated with full, clear utterance; but the short vocals have a
sharp, distinct, and almost explosive utterance. Weakness of speech
follows a failure to observe the first point, while drawling results from
carelessness with respect to the second.