Clincal Phonetics: Linguistics Part 2: Syllables and Their Components

Define syllable

a basic unit of speech production consisting of a segment of acoustic energy (a peak, usually a vowel) and lesser energy sound usually a consonant.

Define Onset

all consonants preceding a novel in any syllable; not all syllables contain an onset.

Define rhyme

syllable segment consisting of an obligatory nucleus (usually a vowel) and an optional coda

Define nucleus

the nucleus is the central part of a syllable that carries the syllable's peak, typically a vowel.

Define coda

the consonant sounds that follow the nucleus in a syllable, completing the rhyme.