Syllables Part II
The core syllable:
► a syllable is associated with a single peak in sonority;
► each syllable has the peak
► this peak is more sonorous than both its right and left neighbour;
► segments preceding the peak constitute the onset;
► sonority increases in the onset from left to right;
► the maximum number of X-positions in the onset is two;
► segments following the peak constitute the coda;
► sonority decreases in the coda from left to right;
► peak and coda form a phonological unit called the rhyme;
► the minimum number of X-positions in the rhyme is one for unstressed syllables and two
for stressed syllables;
the maximum number is three
Violation to the core-syllable characteristics in the rhyme
(a) violation in the number of X-positions
(1) mind
Sy
Rh
On
Pe
Co
X
X
X
X
X
/m
a
i
n
d/
(b) violation in the sonority of elements in the rhyme
(2) fox
Sy
Rh
On
Pe
Co
X
X
X
X
f
ɒ
k
s
English syllable—summary:
(3)
Sy
Rh
On
Xa
Xb
Pe
Xc
X1
Co
X2
/s/
X3
X4
X5
X6
[-son] [-son] [-son]
[+cor] [+cor] [+cor]
Conditions:
(1) X1 2 are obligatory
(2) Xb-X3 are associated with a single sonority peak, the maximum being X 1
X2 is associated with either peak or coda.
The onset template:
(4)
On
Xa
Xb
Xc
Conditions:
(1) Xa is /s/
(2) Xa c are optional
(3) Xc is more sonorous than Xb
(5)
On
Conditions:
(1) Xa c are optional
Xa
Xb
Xc
/s/
[-son] [+son]
(6)
*On
X
X
[-sonorant]
[+continuant]
[+voice]
[+sonorant]
Syllabification of polysyllabic words
(7)
a)
(C)VCV(C).
ma.ri.na
a.ro.ma
pho.ne.mic
co.di.fy
b)
VCCV
al.ti.tude
nigh.tin.gale
a.gen.da
stan.dard
c)
VCCV
a.pri.cot
al.ge.bra
Hum.phrey
Ma.tron
d)
e.nig.ma
Ag.nes
at.las
e)
apple
/’æ.pl/
petrol
/’pe.trǝl/
epic
/’e.pɪk/
metric
/’me.trɪk/