Diphthong in the Arabic Phonology

Abstract

This study investigates the definition of the phonological term Diphthong and the possible existence of this sound combination in the Arabic phonology. Literature departing from the work of contemporary Arab linguists who exhausted themselves in imposing this concept on the study of Arabic inflec­tions was explained and found to be existing due to sheer imitation of western linguists and their research methodologies and not because it was related to the significanceofthistermoritsactualexistence.Thestudyclearlyshowsthat the diphthong doesnt exist in Arabic phonology. The researcher based his arguments on the clarificationofthefunctionthatinflectionsplayinArabic.It is then believed that from a phonological perspective, inflectionswhichare usually placed on top of the syllable and Diphthong, however, are never placed as such. Moreover, a Diphthong is usually definedasamovementorvariation in sound production between two sounds in one syllable.