teenth, as represented by a, e, i, o, and u in the words ale, arm, all, at, me, met, ice, it, no, do, not, sue, up, full.
There are fifteen sub-vocal sounds, numbering from first to fifteenth, as represented by b, d, g, j, l, m, n, r, v, w, y, z, ng, and th, in the words bud, leg, jet, lime, nor, live, wet, yet, adz, azure, sing, this.
There are ten aspirate sounds, numbering from first to tenth, as represented by f, h, k, p, s, t, ch, sh, th and wh, in the words if, he, keep, sit, rich, fish, thin, when.[1]
Two vocal sounds united in one syllable are termed diphthongal sounds, and the combined letters representing those sounds are called diphthongs; as oi in coil, oy in boy, ou in loud, ow in now, and oy in buoy (boo i).
The union of two or more letters to represent but one sound is termed a combination, as ea in heat, ee in feet, eau in beau, ch in rich, ng in sing, ti in nation, ce in ocean, &c.
Note.—It is not expected that young pupils will memorize the preceding definitions and explanations. They are intended for the use of teachers and advanced classes of pupils. The latter may study them to advantage in connection with the analysis of words, as illustrated on page 14, which is a valuable exercise for those who desire to become familiar with the elements of the language. The following questions are designed for the use of such pupils.
Questions.—What is language? Of what does language consist? To what is the language of sounds addressed, and what is it termed? What are the vocal languages of men and brutes termed? To what is the language of signs addressed? When used in printing and writing what is it called? How many elementary sounds does the vocal English language contain? By what are those sounds represented in the written language? Into how many classes are the elementary sounds divided, and what names are given to those classes? What are the letters called which represent each class of sounds? How are the vocal sounds formed? The sub-vocal? The aspirate? How many vocal sounds are there? Give them in their order. How many sub-vocal sounds are there? Give them in their order. How many aspirate sounds are there? Give them in their order. What is the union of two vocal sounds in one syllable termed? What term is applied to the union of two or more letters to represent one sound?
- ↑ It will be observed that the author represents thirty-nine elementary sounds in the English language. Some believe there are not as many, and others think there are more.
