Digraph (definition)

A digraph is the combination of two written symbols to represent a single sound. The IPA digraphs include [œ æ]. Digraphs are also represented in orthography, where two letters may be used to represent a single sound such as in shoot, where sh is used for [ ʃ ]. In Gaelic there are many diagraphs:

• "th", "sh" are used for /h/,
• "dh" and "gh" for either /j/ or /ɣ/ depending upon context,
• "ch" is used for /x/,
• "ph" for /f/,
• "bh" and "mh" are used for /v/ or /w/ depending upon context,
• "fh" is usually silent but is sometimes pronounced as /h/.
• "ao" is /ɯ/
• "ae" is /æ/

(and there are many others)

See Also

• Orthography

External Links

The link below takes you away from the Gaelic Wiki to Wikipedia. Since wikipedia pages can be edited by anyone, they often contain inaccurate information. So be careful!

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digraph_(orthography)

References

• Crystal,David (2008). A Dictionary of Linguistics and Phonetics Sixth Edition. Blackwell Publinshing Ltd.