29.  A diphthong is the sound produced by the union in one syllable of two simple vowel sounds uttered n rapid succession.

     The diphthong AU is, of course, made up from the sounds A and U in the words nahe and Nuss, and it is therefore represented by the signs for these two sounds.

     The diphthong EU or AEU most nearly approximates to the O in Not and the I in Zinn.  It is to be carefully noted that in a few words the circle falls outside the hook, as in leugnen and Zeuge given above.

     The sign for the diphthong EI or AI is the large A circle slightly indented; the examples given above show clearly how it is written.  The position of the EI diphthong is determined by the rules for the writing of the A circle.

30.  The Diphthong IA

The sound IA or IAE is represented by the large circle with a small dot inside it, and the sound EA by the large circle with a small dash inside.

     Consecutive vowels which do not form a pure diphthong are joined in their natural order.

31.  Non-Consonantal Words

     There are a few words in which there are no consonants.  The H dot, or the marks distinguishing the vowel sounds, should be used.

32.  The Prefix AUS

     The prefix AUS is represented by the diphthong AU, joined when possible, but never joined when followed by a vowel.
     AUSSER is represented by the sign for AUS followed by the stroke R.

33.  The Prefix ZU

     The prefix ZU is always disconnected if followed by a vowel.
     When it is followed by a consonant it is written in full before F, K, N, T and the corresponding long strokes, but it is abbreviated to Z before all the other consonants.

     The preceding rule applies to zu as a separate words.  If the succeeding word commences with a vowel the two words are written apart, otherwise the words are joined and Z or ZU is written as explained above.

34.  Word-Signs

     A further list of word-signs mainly coming under the diphthong rules.

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