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Lecture 4

Syllables

Definition

The nature of syllables

The structure of English syllables

Strong and weak syllables

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Definition

Phonetically, a syllable is a unit which consists of a

vowel as the centre and/or consonant(s) before and

after it.

e.g. Are//

No//

At//

Cat/k/

A syllable can be part of a word or it can coincide with a

word.

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The nature of syllables

A minimum syllable is a single vowel in isolation

e.g. are// or //

err//

Some syllables have an onset. That is they have more

than just silence preceding the centre of the syllable.

e.g. my/ma/

Some syllables may have no onset but have a coda

(termination).

e.g. on //

Some syllabes have both an onset and a termination.

e.g. meat /m/

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Syllable

CentreOnset Coda

(Optional) (Optional)

Structure of English syllables

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Syllable onset

If the first syllable of the word begins with

A vowel Zero Onset

e.g. ease our

One consonant initial consonant

e.g. send church

Two or more consonants together an initial

consonant cluster.

e.g. clear spring

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Initial consonant clusters

1. Initial two-consonant clusters

Pre-initial /s/ + initial consonant

e.g. slight smoke

Initial + post-initial /j, w, l, r/e.g. queue twin try

2. Initial three-consonant cluster

Pre-initial /s/ + initial /p, k, t/ + post-initial /l, r, w, j/

e.g. scream stew

squid string

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Syllable coda (termination)

If a syllable ends with: A vowel zero termination

e.g. no car

A consonant final consonant

e.g. meal late

More than one consonant final consonant cluster

e.g. ask next

tests texts

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Final consonant clusters

Final two

Consonantcluster

Final three

Consonantcluster

Final four

Consonantcluster

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Final two consonant clusters

1. Pre-final/m, n, N, l, s/ + final. Examples:

bond pump

bank dealt

desk think

2. Final+ post-final/s, z, t, d, /. Examples:

cats bags

looked begged

eighth kissed

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Final three consonant clusters

1. Pre-final + final + post-final. Examples:

helped banks

bonds twelfth

2. Final + post-final 1 + post-final2. Examples:

fifths

nextlapsed

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Final four consonant clusters

1. Pre-final + final + post-final 1 + post-final 2

twelfths

prompts

2. Final + post-final 1 + post-final 2 + post-final 3

sixths

texts

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extra e kstr@

ek str@

eks tr@

ekst r@

ekstr @

Syllable division

?

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Syllable division

Maximum Onset Pr inc ip le:

Consonants are assigned to the right-hand syllable

as far as possible within the restrictions governing

syllable onsets and codas.

Restr ict ions:

No word begins with more than 3 consonants.

No word ends with more than 4 consonants.

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Therefore:

extra e kstr@

ek str@

eks tr@

ekst r@

ekstr @

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Strong and weak syllables1. Strong syllables: Strong syllables are stressed. They

are syllables that have as their centres one of the vowel

phonemes or possibly a triphthong, but not /@/.

Examples:

contain advise alter

2. Weak syllables: are unstressed. They are syllables thatcan have only four types of centre.

a. The vowel /@/: worker banana

b. A close front unrounded vowel in the general area of /i:/

and / I/: / i /: money family

c. A close back rounded vowel in the general area of /u:/

and / U/: /u/: arduous do

d. A syllabic consonant: bottle garden

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The /@/ vowel (schwa)

In quality:

Mid (half-way between close and open)

Central (half-way between front and back)

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Close front vowel

Phonetic symbol: / i /

Common spellings:

Final -y or -ey : happy

Prefix re- pre- de- : react

Suffix -iate -ious : appreciate

Unstressed words : he , she , we

the preceding a vowel

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Close back vowel

Phonetic symbol: /u/

Common spellings:

Unstressed words: you , to , who

Before another vowel within a word: influenza

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/l/Common spellings

Words ending with one or more consonant letters

followed by le

with alveolar consonant preceding

cattle , wrestle

with non-alveolar consonant preceding

couple , struggle

Words ending with one or more consonant letters

followed by al or el

panel ,petal ,parcel

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/n/

Common spellings

After alveolar plosives t, d

threaten , student

After labiodental fricative f, v

often , seven

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/m/ //

Only occur as a result of processes such as

assimilationand elision

happen

thicken