Digraph (definition)

A digraph is the combination of two 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

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

References

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