An outline of English syllable Jos Ribamar de Castro

A syllable is a product of the way the pulmonic airstream mechanism works. Its basis is a chestpulse,on which are superimposed the articulatory movements,and the allied movements of the vocal cords and velum,which produce segments. A syllable has three phases,with which segments may coincide. 1 2 3 oh o oa t g oa t

Thus the four syllables just quoted exemplify four different patterns: 1 2 3 oh = O V O go = C V C oat = O V C goat = C V C All syllables mentioned above are simple syllables

Other,less simple,patterns are possible which arise from complex articulations occuring at the marginal elements,resulting in several C elements there instead of just a single one.For example,the English syllable streets has CCC in phase 1,and CC in phase 3: its structural pattern is CCC V CC. Sequences of C elements of this sort are known as consonant clusters;by the size of a cluster is meant the number of C elements contained in it.

A generalized formula for English syllable structure (ignoring the dubious triumphst) would be (C) (C)(C) V (C) (C) (C) (C) or Co-3 V Co-4 Some languages have structural restrictions of various sorts which operate within the limitations imposed by the range of patterns of their syllable structure.Thus in English the voiced velar nasal can only occur in phase 3 of a syllable. For example: hang, sing, bring

The consonant /h/ can only occur in phase 1. For example: hair, house , hang,etc. Obs: the (h) is mute in : hour, hones, heir,etc. The sound /j/ can only occur in phase 1. For example: yellow,yet, peculiar,etc. English has very severely restricted combinations. Thus,although there are syllables stay,tray,stray,no syllable sray exists. The syllable spy is possible ,but not psycho-sp is a permissible cluster in phase 1 but not ps. ps is permissible in phase 3 ,for example alps.

It is important not to confuse a consdonant cluster with a sequence of consonants. tray consonant cluster of 2 hatrack consonant sequence (abutting consonants)
taxfree abutting consonants of 2

teatray v.ccv heatray vc.cv mousetrap vc.ccv

Obs: some words have a syllabic element (syllabic consonant) button, ribbon , little , reason , rhythm , dictionary, secretary, etc. Putting in a nutshell,analysing syllable structure,as weve done in this workshop,can be useful to foreign teachers/students of English.Obviously,there are many more limitations on possible combinations of vowels and consonants,but an understanding of the basic structure described above will help teachers/students to become aware of precisely what type of consonant cluster presents pronunciation problems- most learners find some English clusters difficult,but few find all of the difficult.