8 Phonology [§§n-u aí was a short open e-sound like the β in OHG. nēman, and almost like the a in English hat. It only occurs before r, h, ív (except in the case of aíþþáu, or, and possibly waíla, well, and in the reduplicated syllable of the pret. of strong verbs belonging to Class VII). See §§67, 89, 811. Examples are: aírþa, earth ; baíran, to bear; waírpan, to throw, faíhu, cattle; taíhun, ten; saílvan, to see; aíáuk, / increased; laílōt, / let; haíháit, / named. But see pp. 367 ff. ái was a diphthong and had the same sound as the ei in NHG. mein, my, and nearly the same sound as the i in English mine, as áiþs, oath; áins, one; hláifs, loaf; stains, stone; twái, two; nimái, he may take. ai had probably the same pronunciation as OE. æ (i.e. a long open e-sound). It occurs only in very few words before a following vowel (§ 76), as saian, to sow; waian, to blow; faian, to blame; and possibly in armaiō, mercy, pity. But see pp. 367 ff. t § 11. an was a short open o-sound like the ο in English not. It only occurs before r and h, as haúrn, horn; waúrđ, word; daúhtar, daughter; aúhsa, ox. See §§ 71, 73, and pp. 367 ff. áu was a pure diphthong and had approximately the same sound as the ou in English house, as áugō, eye; áusō, ear; dáuþus, death; háubiþ, head; ahtáu, eight; nimáu, / may take. au was a long open o-sound like the au in English aught. It only occurs in a few words before a following vowel (§ 80), as staua, judgment; ta.ui,deed; trauan, to trust; bauan, to build, inhabit. Cp. §§ 3 and 10. But see pp. 367 ff. § 12. From what has been said in §§ 4-11, we arrive at the following Gothic vowel-system :— Short vowels a, aí, i, aú, u Long „ a, ē, ai, ei, ō, au, ū Diphthongs ái, áu, iu