Syllable structure: Difference between revisions
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==Extrametrical consonants== | ==Extrametrical consonants== | ||
The most common example of an extrametrical consonant, seen in our example as well, is the Indo-European [[s-mobile]]. Extrametrical consonants can be identified by their phonotactical properties: English syllables can feature an extrametrical /s/ only before /p t k/ (it is debatable | The most common example of an extrametrical consonant, seen in our example as well, is the Indo-European [[s-mobile]]. Extrametrical consonants can be identified by their phonotactical properties: English syllables can feature an extrametrical /s/ (or /ʃ/) only before /m n p t k/, and these are also the only cases where another consonant can occur before these (it is debatable if /s/ in /sw, sl/ and /ʃ/ in /ʃr/ are extrametrical). | ||
It is possible for extrametrical coda consonants, such as the English plural/possessiv //z//, to not contribute to syllable weight. | |||
[[Category:Phonology]] | |||
Revision as of 03:45, 31 July 2009
The general anatomy of a syllable, using an English word as an example:
| Example | Phonemes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| strives | /s/ | Onset | Extrametrical | "Allitereme" | |
| /t/ | Onset proper | ||||
| /r/ | Onglide | ||||
| /a/ | Rime | Nucleus | Vocoid | ||
| /j/ | Offglide | ||||
| /v/ | Coda | Coda proper | |||
| /z/ | Extrametrical | ||||
The basic division is that between an onset, consisting of consonants or semivowels, and a rime, consisting of a vocoid and possible further elements. This structure is seen in almost all natlangs (the infamous counterexample is Arrernte).
Vocoid
The vocoid is the sonority peak of a syllable. It is usually a vowel, but it can be a consonant as well. Such a consonant is almost always a sonorant, and will be call'd a syllabic consonant. It is not uncommon for there to exist tighter rules for the structure syllables with a consonantal vocoid, typically limiting the possible on- and offglides.
Extrametrical consonants
The most common example of an extrametrical consonant, seen in our example as well, is the Indo-European s-mobile. Extrametrical consonants can be identified by their phonotactical properties: English syllables can feature an extrametrical /s/ (or /ʃ/) only before /m n p t k/, and these are also the only cases where another consonant can occur before these (it is debatable if /s/ in /sw, sl/ and /ʃ/ in /ʃr/ are extrametrical).
It is possible for extrametrical coda consonants, such as the English plural/possessiv //z//, to not contribute to syllable weight.
