Monophthongization

Monophthongization is a sound change in which a diphthong develops into a monophthong, a vowel pronounced with relatively stable quality.

Diphthong: A vowel sound that changes quality within one syllable. It is the moving vowel quality that monophthongization reduces.
Southern American English: A group of English varieties spoken in the southern United States. Some varieties monophthongize the diphthong in words such as “ride”.
Historical linguistics: The study of how languages change and how their historical relationships can be reconstructed. Monophthongization helps identify sound correspondences and trace vowel histories.
Diphthongization: A sound change in which a monophthong develops into a diphthong. It moves in the reverse direction, adding a change in vowel quality.
Monophthong: A vowel sound produced with relatively stable quality throughout its duration. It is the outcome of the change.
African American English: A family of English varieties associated with African American communities in the United States. Some varieties show monophthongal realizations of the PRICE vowel, with patterns varying by region and context.
Comparative method: A procedure for reconstructing ancestral languages by comparing systematic similarities among related languages. Regular monophthongization can help explain why related languages have different vowel reflexes.
Vowel breaking: A historical process in which a vowel becomes a diphthong, often in a specific consonant environment. It creates a complex vowel rather than simplifying one.
Vowel shift: A systematic change in the pronunciation of vowel sounds within a language or dialect. Monophthongization can form one part of a broader reorganization of vowel pronunciations.
Scottish English: English varieties spoken in Scotland, shaped by contact with Scots and Scottish Gaelic. Monophthongal realizations of historical English diphthongs occur in some Scottish accents.

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Slavic second palatalizationRelated: Changes to Proto-Slavic diphthongs help explain the environments involved in the palatalization.