Here is a list of English words that contain diphthongs that are similar to the Lojban diphthongs. This list does not constitute an official pronunciation guide; it is intended as a help to English-speakers.

   Lojban      English

    ai      ``pie''
    ei      ``pay''
    oi      ``boy''
    au      ``cow''

    ia      ``yard''
    ie      ``yes''
    ii      ``ye''
    io      ``yodel'' (in GA only)
    iu      ``unicorn'' or ``few''

    ua      ``suave''
    ue      ``wet''
    ui      ``we''
    uo      ``woe'' (in GA only)
    uu      ``woo''

    iy          ``million'' (the ``io'' part, that is)
    uy          ``was'' (when unstressed)