3. WHAT IS IT?
It is a very important unit. Phonetically (in relation to the way
we produce then and the way they sound), syllables are usually
described as consisting of a centre which has little or no
obstruction to airflow and which sounds comparatively loud,
before and after this centre (at the beginning or at the end of
the syllable). There will be greater obstruction to airflow and/or
less loud sound.
4. ELEMENTS OF A SYLLABLE
Some syllables would be composed by a single vowel in isolation which is
called: MINIMUM SYLLABLE. A vowel sound stands as the CENTRE of the
syllable and it is the only obligatory element: are – or – err
Some syllables have an ONSET, which is made up of all the consonants
before the nucleus. It is an optional element: bar – key – more
5. ELEMENTS OF A SYLLABLE
Some syllables may have no onset but a CODA, which is everything
after the nucleus. It is an optional element: am – ought – ease
Some syllables have ONSET and CODA: run – sit – fill
6. STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH SYLLABLE
The English Syllable consists of a vowel as the centre of the syllabe and a possible
combination of three consonant sounds before the vowel and a possible combination of
four consonant sounds after the vowel.
7. STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH SYLLABLE
CCC
V
CCCC
C3
vowel
C4
SPRAY /sprei/
RUN /rn/
TEXTS /teksts/
8. SYLLABIC CONSONANT
It occurs in syllables in which no vowels can be found. In this
case, a consonant, either /l/, /r/ or a nasal: /n/ /m/ //,
stand as the centre of the syllable instead of a vowel. It’s usual
to indicate that a consonant is syllabic by means of a small
vertical mark
