Diphthongs

NEAR

This vowel varies primarily by two parameters: rhotic dialects typically (though not invariably) have monophthongal realizations (and, conversely, non-rhotic varieties tend to have inglides to schwa), and the position of the vowel (or glide onset) may vary between a tense [i] and a lower and less fronted [ɪ]. The tense monophthong characterizes Scotland, Ireland, south-western England, and NEngE; tense onsets occur in some African and Asian varieties. Lowered onsets in the [e] or, less commonly, even [ε] regions come up in some British, American and Caribbean dialects. EAfE, many West and some South African varieties, dialects of northern England and IrE, and relatively “deep” Caribbean creoles (JamC, SurC) as well as most Pacific P&Cs have fairly long gliding movements from high and tense to fully open positions, e.g. [ia].