Slide Set 15-Syllables I-F2024

Overview of Syllables in Phonology

Introduction to Syllable Structure

  • Course: LING 331: Phonology 1

  • Instructor: H. Goad

  • Semesters: Fall 2024

  • Slide Set Focus: Syllables I

Key Topic: Syllabification

Definition

  • Syllabification: The process through which segments (sounds) are organized into syllables.

Mechanisms of Syllabification

  • A segment can only be phonetically realized when it is linked to a timing unit (Consonant or Vowel) which is associated with a syllable.

  • The position of a segment in syllable structure is based on:

    • Feature specifications of the segment.

    • Location relative to adjacent segments.

Constituency in Syllables

Key Components of a Syllable (σ)

  • Obligatory Constituents:

    • Nucleus (N or Nuc): Required element in every syllable.

    • Rhyme (R or Rh): Contains the nucleus, hence every syllable must also contain a rhyme.

  • Optional Constituents:

    • Onset (O or Ons): Follows the rhyme and is directly dependent on the syllable.

    • Coda (C or Cod): Follows the nucleus and is dependent on the rhyme.

Architecture of the Syllable

  • Syllable constituents are organized hierarchically.

Syllable Structure Examples

CV Tier

  • Links melody (features) to syllable constituents.

  • Example: In French word "branche" [braf], the syllable structure is:

    • O N R

    • Timing (CV tier)

    • Melody features: ([b], [B], [ã], [S]) represent sounds.

Minimal vs. Core Syllables

  • Minimal Syllable: The simplistically defined syllable that includes just the nucleus.

  • Core (Optimal) Syllable: Defined as optimally having a CV structure.

Markedness in Syllable Structure

Onsets

  • Structure of the onset:

    • Simplex onset: a single consonant.

    • Complex (Branching) onset: multiple consonants.

Observations on Onsets

  • No language forbids onsets.

  • Some languages require onsets (e.g., Senufo, Klamath).

  • OT Markedness Constraint: ONSET - Syllables should have onsets.

Onset Complexity and Constraints

  • Onset Complexity Measurement: Depends on timing units contained within:

    • Example: [bæn] ‘ban’ has a simple onset; [bræn] ‘bran’ has a complex onset.

Observations on Complex Onsets

  • Many languages forbid complex onsets (e.g., Cantonese, Korean).

  • OT Markedness Constraint: *Complex(Onset) - Prefer simple onsets.

Nucleus and Coda Structure

Nucleus

  • Complex nuclei are often forbidden in languages (e.g., Seoul Korean, Russian).

  • OT Markedness Constraint: *Complex(Nucleus) - Prefer simple nuclei.

Coda

  • Some languages neither require nor allow codas (e.g., Cayuvava, Māori).

  • OT Markedness Constraints on Coda:

    • NOCODA: Syllables lack codas.

    • *Complex(Coda): Prefer simple codas.

Onset–Coda Asymmetry

  • Maximal Onset Principle: Consonants should be placed in onset position where possible.

  • Observations:

    • Onsets often preferred, while no language necessarily requires codas.

    • Syllabification patterns may differ across languages.

Projecting Syllable Structure

Steps in Syllable Structure Projection

  1. Nucleus Syllabification: Associate vowels or the most sonorous segment as nucleus and link to the rhyme.

  2. Onset Syllabification: Associate the consonant immediately left of the nucleus as onset.

  3. Maximize Onset Complexity: Increase complexity of the onset as per language constraints.

  4. Coda Syllabification: Associate consonant(s) to the right of the nucleus as coda, abiding by language-specific constraints.