Diphthong Marking

In Persian writing system, only consonants have a dedicated letter. Vowels and diphthongs are indicated with other means. Persian diphthongs are combinations of the vowels “î” and “û” with other vowels. Therefore, Diphthong marking follows vowel marking patterns. Overall, the diacritics “zîr” ⟨ ــِـ ⟩, “zebar” ⟨ ـَـ ⟩, “pîš” ⟨ ـُـ ⟩, “sâken” ⟨ ـْـ ⟩, the consonant ⟨ و ⟩ and the pairs ⟨ آی ⟩, ⟨ او ⟩, ⟨ اوی ⟩, ⟨ ای ⟩, ⟨ ـِـ ی ⟩, ⟨ وی ⟩ are used to mark diphthongs.

Diphthong “ây”

The diphthong “ây” is comprised of the vowels “â” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ آی ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ای ⟩ in all other positions. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) ⟨ ــْـ ⟩ can be placed over ⟨ ی ⟩.

Diphthong “ey”

The diphthong “ey” is comprised of the vowels “e” and “î”. It is partially denoted with ⟨ ای ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ی ⟩ in all other positions. To denote “ey” clearly, the diacritic زیر (“zîr”) can be placed below the preceding consonant. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) can be placed over ⟨ ی ⟩.

Diphthong “ay”

In standard Iranian Persian, the diphthong “ay” /æj/ has transformed into “ey”. In standard Afghan and Tajik Persian as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “ay” has been preserved. It is marked in a similar way as “ey”, with the natural difference that the diacritic زبر (“zebar”) is used instead of زیر (“zîr”).

Diphthong “oy”

The diphthong “oy” is comprised of the vowels “o” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ ای ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ وی ⟩ in all other positions. To denote “oy” clearly, the diacritic پیش (“pîš”) can be placed over the preceding consonant. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (“sâken”) can be placed over over ⟨ ی ⟩.

Diphthong “ôy”

In standard Persian of Iran, the long vowel “ô” has transformed into long vowel “û”. Similarly, the diphthong “ôy” has transformed into “ûy”. In standard Persian of Afghanistan and Tajikistan as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “ôy” has been preserved. The diphthong “ôy” is marked in a similar way as “oy”.

Diphthong “ûy”

The diphthong “ûy” is comprised of the vowels “û” and “î”. It is marked with ⟨ اوی ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ وی ⟩ in all other positions. Optionally, the diacritic ساکن (sâken) can be place over ⟨ ی ⟩.

Diphthong “ow”

The diphthong “ow” is comprised of the vowels “o” and “û”. It is marked with ⟨ اُو ⟩ at word initial and with ⟨ ـُـ و ⟩ in all other positions.

Diphthong “aw”

In standard Iranian Persian, the diphthong “aw” /æʊ/ has transformed into “ow” /ɔʊ/. In standard Afghan and Tajik Persian as well as many dialects inside Iran, classical Persian “aw” has been preserved. It is marked in a similar way as “ow”, with the natural difference that the diacritic زبر (“zebar”) is used instead of پیش (“pîš”).

Summary

The following table summarizes diphthong marking in different word positions.