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Lecture 19&20 SYlable Structure w10

The document provides an overview of syllables, defining them as units of sound that consist of a vowel sound, with or without consonants, and explaining their importance in pronunciation and rhythm in languages. It details the components of a syllable (onset, nucleus, coda), types of syllables (open, closed, simple, complex), and syllable structure rules. Additionally, it includes examples and exercises for syllable counting, division, and recognition.

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5 views

Lecture 19&20 SYlable Structure w10

The document provides an overview of syllables, defining them as units of sound that consist of a vowel sound, with or without consonants, and explaining their importance in pronunciation and rhythm in languages. It details the components of a syllable (onset, nucleus, coda), types of syllables (open, closed, simple, complex), and syllable structure rules. Additionally, it includes examples and exercises for syllable counting, division, and recognition.

Uploaded by

sajidareeba56
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SYLLABLE

STRUCTURE
WEEK 10
Lecture 19 & 20
Syllable
Definition of a Syllable:
A syllable is a unit of sound that forms
the building blocks of words.
A unit of sound with only one vowel
sound, with or without consonants.
Syllables help in breaking down words for
pronunciation and are essential for
understanding the rhythm and stress
patterns in languages.
Components of a Syllable:
Onset:
 The consonant sound(s) that precede/ comes before
the vowel in a syllable.
Example: In cat /kæt/, k is the onset.
Nucleus (Peak):
 The vowel sound in the middle of a syllable, which is
the core or "peak" of the syllable. Every syllable must
have a nucleus.
Example: In cat /kæt/, æ is the nucleus.
Coda:
 The consonant sound(s) that follow the vowel in a
syllable.
Example: In cat /kæt/, t is the coda.
Syllable Structure Types
Open Syllables:
 End in a vowel sound (no coda).
Example: go /gəʊ/, be /biː/
Closed Syllables:
 End in one or more consonants (have a coda).
Example: cat /kæt/, dog /dɒg/
Simple Syllables:
 Contain a single consonant before or after the vowel.
Example: no /nəʊ/, me /miː/
Complex Syllables:
 Contain consonant clusters in the onset or coda.
Example: street /striːt/, flask /flæsk/
Syllable Patterns:
 CVC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant):
Example: cat /kæt/, dog /dɒg/
 CV (Consonant-Vowel):
Example: go /gəʊ/, he /hiː/
 CCVC (Consonant-Consonant-Vowel-Consonant):
Example: stop /stɒp/, blue /bluː/
 CVCC (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant-Consonant):
Example: hand /hænd/, fast /fæst/
Syllable Structure Rules
Some words consist exactly one syllable
Some consonant combinations are not allowed in English as onset e.g. /ks/ & /tl/
Some Syllables do not have an onset called zero or empty syllable. E.g. eat, all,
up, egg
If there is second vowel sound in a word then it is another syllable. Beautiful-
bju/ti/ful
The nucleus can be a monophthong, diphthong and Triphthongs. E.g. (speak,
spi:k, cake, keik, hour, aua
A syllable with coda is called a closed syllable or checked syllable e.g. work,
we:k
A syllable without coda is called an open or free syllable e.g. try, trai & free, fri:
In English all onset consonants are allowed as coda apart from /h/ sound. e.g ai-
my, mai & ice, ais
Word Transcription Structure Syllable Type Extra

ear iǝ V/ nucleus open Zero onset

fear fiǝ CV/onset+coda open

ears iǝz VC/nucleus+coda closed Zero onset

are a: V open Zero onset

CVC/
calm a:m onset+nucleus+c closed Zero onset
oda

CCVC/ onset+
tried traid closed
nucleus+coda
Role of Syllables in English Pronunciation:
• Syllables determine the rhythm and flow of
spoken language.
• Correct syllable division helps in accurate
pronunciation and understanding of stress
patterns.
• Native speakers and learners use syllables to
break down complex words.
Syllabification Rules:
• Divide words between consonants and vowels.
• Break up consonant clusters between syllables
(where applicable).
• Example: run-ning /ˈrʌn.ɪŋ/, ta-ble /ˈteɪ.bəl/
Syllable Structure Examples:
 One syllable: cat, dog, sun
 Two syllables: ta-ble, wa-ter, stu-dent
 Three syllables: com-pu-ter, ha-pi-ness
 Four syllables: uni-ver-sity, per-son-
ality
Exercise 1: Syllable Exercise 2: Syllable Division
Counting Divide the following words into
Count the number of syllables. Use hyphens to
syllables in the following separate the syllables.
words: 1.Basketball
1.Computer 2.Imagination
2.Elephant 3.Beautiful
3.Sunshine 4.Chocolate
4.Flower 5.Department
5.Happiness 6.Elephant
6.Organization 7.Discovery
7.Book 8.Butterfly
8.Communication 9.Adventure
9.Table 10.Improvement
10.Important
Exercise 3: Identify SyllableExercise 4: Word
Types (Open or Closed) Syllabification
Identify whether each syllable Break down the following words
is open (ends with a vowel) or into their syllable structure (CVC,
closed (ends with a CV, CCVC, CVCC, etc.).
consonant). 1.Stop
1.Go 2.Paper
2.Cat 3.Fantastic
3.Basket 4.Sky
4.Try 5.Breakfast
5.Open 6.Window
6.Ship 7.Flashlight
7.Ride 8.Important
8.Dog 9.Program
9.Begin 10.Excellent
Exercise 5: Syllable Recognition
Identify the number of syllables and then
identify the onset, nucleus, and coda of the first
syllable for each word:
1.Balloon
2.Computer
3.Painting
4.Desert
5.Wonderful
6.Teacher
7.Process
8.Family
9.Guitar
10.History

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