> Okay, I did ask this once before but wasn't clear on the response I got,
I wrote what I thought was a clear response for you, detailing the various
possibilites. I can't be bothered checking the archives to find it, but
it's there if you want to hunt.
> regarding the Latin diphtong ui:
Some words (e.g. cui) can scan as two short syllables [so short /u/ + short
/i/] or as a single heavy syllable, made up of a diphthong.
Some words (e.g. uis ) have consonantal u (/w/) followed by short or long i.
Some words (e.g. qui) have a written u as a sign of labialisation of the
preceding /k/, followed by short or long i.
Some words (e.g. cuius) have short u followed by double consonant /jj/.
Your question asked if we ever got /u:/ + /i:/. The answer is no.
>regarding the Latin diphtong eu:
This diphthong is found in very few native Latin words (neu, seu, ceu, heus,
contracted ne-uter) but mostly in Greek words. The pronunciation was
probably short /e/ + short /u/. The pronunciation in Greek words followed
the Greek pronunciation: /eww/ before a vowel, but /eu/ before a consonant
(short /e/ + short /u/)
Both ui and eu, when diphthongal, have the second element as a glide, not
the first.
Peter