Syllables and
Phonotactics
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and Phonotactics
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Supplementary Readings
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
The following readings have been posted to the Moodle
course site:
I
Contemporary Linguistics: Chapter 3 (pp. 77-84)
I
“Syllables” by Kyle Johnson
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
A Review of Where We Are
The Fundamental Question (for Linguists):
What is the system of rules and mental representations
that underlies out ability to speak and understand a
human language?
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
I
I
Last Unit: IPA
Notation that unambiguously represents the phones
of all human languages.
This Unit: Phonology
Rules that operate over those representations, and
thereby affect how words are pronounced.
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Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Some Quick IPA Practice
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
First, let’s practice reading some IPA:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
[maj b2lowni hæz @ f1ôst nejm Its ow Es si ej Aô]
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Some Quick IPA Practice
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
First, let’s practice reading some IPA:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
[maj b2lowni hæz @ f1ôst nejm Its ow Es si ej Aô]
Syllabic
Consonants
(My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R)
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Some Quick IPA Practice
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Here’s another one:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
[mInti plEZ1ôz Inklud pEptow bIzmAl ]
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Some Quick IPA Practice
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Here’s another one:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
[mInti plEZ1ôz Inklud pEptow bIzmAl ]
Syllabic
Consonants
(Minty pleasures include Pepto Bismol)
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonology’
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
IPA transcription represents some of our knowledge of
how a word is pronounced:
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
I
Phones making up the word
I
Sequence in which those phones are produced
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
However, there is more to a word’s pronunciation than
just this...
I
There are also general rules governing English
pronunciation.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Introducing Syllables
Supplementary
Readings
Key Example
When we pronounce ‘understanding’, we don’t pronounce
(or perceive) it as a simple string of sounds...
I
Rather, the phones are grouped together into ‘beats’
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
I
These ‘beats’ making up the word give it a rhythm
Syllabic
Consonants
I
These ‘beats’ and rhythm come out naturally when
we speak words slowly
Onsets Over
Codas
I
I
I
[2n . d1ô . stæn . diN]
[pEp . tow . bIz . mAl]
[b2 . low . ni]
‘understanding’
‘Pepto Bismol’
‘Bologna’
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Introducing Syllables
Vocabulary:
These ‘beats’ making up the sound-structure of the word
are called syllables.
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Introducing Syllables
Vocabulary:
These ‘beats’ making up the sound-structure of the word
are called syllables.
Key Fact:
For most English words, speakers only accept one way of
breaking it up into syllables
I
I
[2n . d1ô . stæn . diN]
[pEp . tow . bIz . mAl]
I
[b2 . low . ni]
*[2 . nd1ôs . tænd . iN]
*[pEpt . ow . bIzm . Al]
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Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
*[b2l . own . i]
.
Supplementary
Readings
.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Introducing Syllables
Vocabulary:
These ‘beats’ making up the sound-structure of the word
are called syllables.
Key Fact:
For most English words, speakers only accept one way of
breaking it up into syllables
I
I
[2n . d1ô . stæn . diN]
[pEp . tow . bIz . mAl]
I
[b2 . low . ni]
*[2 . nd1ôs . tænd . iN]
*[pEpt . ow . bIzm . Al]
So, this information is represented in our brains in some
way.
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The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Onsets Over
Codas
*[b2l . own . i]
.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Syllabic
Consonants
Conclusion:
Part of knowing English is knowing how to divide words
into syllables
I
Supplementary
Readings
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Supplementary
Readings
Question:
How is this information represented in our brains?
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Supplementary
Readings
Question:
How is this information represented in our brains?
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Wrong Hypothesis:
Maybe we just memorize it on a word-by-word basis?
I
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
When we learn a word like ‘bologna’, we learn:
I The phones that compose it: [b2lowni]
I The word’s syllabification: [b2 . low . ni]
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Vocabulary:
The way that a word is broken down into syllables is
called syllabification.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Wrong Hypothesis:
Supplementary
Readings
The syllabification of word is memorized on a case-by-case
basis.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Wrong Hypothesis:
Supplementary
Readings
The syllabification of word is memorized on a case-by-case
basis.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Problem for This Hypothesis:
English speakers know how to syllabify words they’ve never
heard spoken before.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Example:
Syllabic
Consonants
I
Read the following word to yourself silently: “badartogly”
I
Say the word to yourself slowly, breaking it into syllables...
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Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Wrong Hypothesis:
Supplementary
Readings
The syllabification of word is memorized on a case-by-case
basis.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Problem for This Hypothesis:
English speakers know how to syllabify words they’ve never
heard spoken before.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Example:
Syllabic
Consonants
I
Read the following word to yourself silently: “badartogly”
I
Say the word to yourself slowly, breaking it into syllables...
I
I would bet that you syllabified it as follows:
I
I
[ bæ . dAô . tA . gli ]
I would bet that you didn’t syllabify it this way:
I
[ bæd . Aôt . Ag . li ]
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Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Conclusion:
Since you’d never heard “badartogly” before, your
syllabification couldn’t have been memorized...
I
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
So the ‘Wrong Hypothesis’ is wrong...
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Conclusion:
Since you’d never heard “badartogly” before, your
syllabification couldn’t have been memorized...
I
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
So the ‘Wrong Hypothesis’ is wrong...
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Right Hypothesis:
English syllabification is based on a general rule.
I
Syllabification Rule
This rule tells you how to syllabify any imaginable word of
English.
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Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Conclusion:
Since you’d never heard “badartogly” before, your
syllabification couldn’t have been memorized...
I
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
So the ‘Wrong Hypothesis’ is wrong...
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Right Hypothesis:
English syllabification is based on a general rule.
I
Syllabification Rule
This rule tells you how to syllabify any imaginable word of
English.
Vocabulary:
Phonology = the study of the general rules that govern
how words are pronounced in a language.
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Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards Syllabification
Conclusion:
Since you’d never heard “badartogly” before, your
syllabification couldn’t have been memorized...
I
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
So the ‘Wrong Hypothesis’ is wrong...
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Right Hypothesis:
English syllabification is based on a general rule.
I
Syllabification Rule
This rule tells you how to syllabify any imaginable word of
English.
Vocabulary:
Phonology = the study of the general rules that govern
how words are pronounced in a language.
The Burning Question:
What are the rules for syllabifying a word of English?
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Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Before we can state the rule, we need to talk a bit more
about the internal structure of syllables...
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
I
Supplementary
Readings
Every syllable is made up of (at most) three parts:
I
Onset: the consonants that begin the syllable
I
Nucleus: the sound in the middle of the syllable
(usually a vowel)
I
Coda: the consonants the end the syllable
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
I
Syllables can differ in size:
Onsets Over
Codas
I
Some syllables do not have onsets (e.g. [it])
I
Some syllables do not have codas (e.g. [ti])
I
But, every syllable has a nucleus
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Supplementary
Readings
Here are some syllables, broken down into their parts:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Syllable
[bæn]
[bi]
[æn]
[stænd]
[plæNk]
[bOj]
[spôej]
[aj]
Onset
[b]
[b]
NONE
[st]
[pl]
[b]
[spô]
NONE
Nucleus
[æ]
[i]
[æ]
[æ]
[æ]
[Oj]
[ej]
[aj]
Coda
[n]
NONE
[n]
[nd]
[Nk]
NONE
NONE
NONE
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Note:
Both parts of a diphthong count as being in the ‘nucleus’
of the syllable.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
Supplementary
Readings
Key Fact:
Not every sequence of phones is a possible onset or
coda in English.
I
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Consider the following sequences of phones:
I [mba . ka]
I [Na . to]
I [tsA]
I [nukÙ]
I [tæg . nIsp]
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Which one sounds most like an English word?
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
Supplementary
Readings
Key Fact:
Not every sequence of phones is a possible onset or
coda in English.
I
I
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Consider the following sequences of phones:
I [mba . ka]
I [Na . to]
I [tsA]
I [nukÙ]
I [tæg . nIsp]
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Which one sounds most like an English word?
You probably said [tæg . nIsp]
I After all, it’s the only one that English speakers can
easily pronounce.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
But why don’t those other words sound like English?
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
But why don’t those other words sound like English?
I [mba . ka]
I
I
I
Supplementary
Readings
The first syllable starts with [mb]
No English word or syllable can start with [mb]
The sequence [mb] is not a possible onset
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
But why don’t those other words sound like English?
I [mba . ka]
I
I
I
I
Supplementary
Readings
The first syllable starts with [mb]
No English word or syllable can start with [mb]
The sequence [mb] is not a possible onset
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
[Na . to]
I
I
I
The first syllable starts with [N]
No English word or syllable can start with [N]
The sequence [N] is not a possible onset
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
But why don’t those other words sound like English?
I [mba . ka]
I
I
I
I
The first syllable starts with [mb]
No English word or syllable can start with [mb]
The sequence [mb] is not a possible onset
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
[Na . to]
I
I
I
I
Supplementary
Readings
The first syllable starts with [N]
No English word or syllable can start with [N]
The sequence [N] is not a possible onset
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
[tsA]
I
I
I
Onsets Over
Codas
The first syllable starts with [ts]
No English word or syllable can start with [ts]
The sequence [ts] is not a possible onset
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Towards ‘Phonotactics’
But why don’t those other words sound like English?
I [mba . ka]
I
I
I
I
I
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The first syllable starts with [N]
No English word or syllable can start with [N]
The sequence [N] is not a possible onset
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
[tsA]
I
I
I
I
The first syllable starts with [mb]
No English word or syllable can start with [mb]
The sequence [mb] is not a possible onset
[Na . to]
I
I
Supplementary
Readings
Onsets Over
Codas
The first syllable starts with [ts]
No English word or syllable can start with [ts]
The sequence [ts] is not a possible onset
[nukÙ]
I
I
I
The first syllable ends with [kÙ]
No English word or syllable can end with [kÙ]
The sequence [kÙ] is not a possible coda
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Phonotactic Constraints
Vocabulary:
The rules that determine the possible onsets or codas are
called phonotactics constraints (a.k.a phonotactics).
I
‘phono’ = sounds ; ‘tactic’ = arrangement
(how the sounds can be arranged)
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Phonotactic Constraints
Vocabulary:
The rules that determine the possible onsets or codas are
called phonotactics constraints (a.k.a phonotactics).
I
‘phono’ = sounds ; ‘tactic’ = arrangement
(how the sounds can be arranged)
Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
I
In Dholuo, [mb] and [N] are possible onsets:
I [mba . ka] = story
I [Na . to] = person
I
In Tlingit, [ts] is a possible onset, and [kÙ] a possible
coda:
I [tsA] = seal
I [nukÙ] = to do
.
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Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Key Fact:
Different languages have different phonotactic
constraints.
.
Supplementary
Readings
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Phonotactics and Syllabification
Supplementary
Readings
Fun Fact:
Phonotactic constraints play a major role in syllabification.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
I
I
I
The Structure of Syllables
What’s wrong with: *[2 . nd1ôs . tænd . iN]
Phonotactics
[nd] is not a possible onset of English
(No word of English begins with [nd])
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Why not this: *[pEpt . ow . bIzm . Al]
I
[zm] is not a possible coda of English
(No word of English ends in [zm]])
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Toward the Syllabification Rule
Supplementary
Readings
But, phonotactic constraints don’t explain everything...
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Why don’t we syllabify like this: *[b2l . own . i]
I
Syllables and
Phonotactics
This syllabification is totally consistent with English
phonotactics.
I
I
I
The Structure of Syllables
Phonotactics
[b2l] is a possible English syllable
[own] is a possible English syllable
[i] is a possible English syllable
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
I
The answer will come from a concrete rule
(algorithm) for syllabifying an English word...
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
The Syllabification Algorithm
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
I
There are four main steps to the ‘syllabification rule’
(‘syllabification procedure’, ‘syllabification algorithm’)
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
I
We will illustrate each step with our made-up words
[bædAôtAgli] and [tægnIsp].
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 1: Label the Nuclei
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
I
Every syllable has a nucleus.
I
Key Fact: All vowels serve as syllabic nuclei.
So, Step One of our syllabification procedure is:
I Identify all the vowels in the word, and...
I Label those vowels as ‘nuclei’ (N)
I
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
b æ d A ô t A g l i
t æ g n I s p
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 1: Label the Nuclei
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
I
Every syllable has a nucleus.
I
Key Fact: All vowels serve as syllabic nuclei.
So, Step One of our syllabification procedure is:
I Identify all the vowels in the word, and...
I Label those vowels as ‘nuclei’ (N)
I
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
N
N
N
N
N
Syllabic
Consonants
N
Onsets Over
Codas
b æ d A ô t A g l i
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Supplementary
Readings
Step 2:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
I
Step 3: Label Codas
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
N
N
N
N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Supplementary
Readings
Step 2:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
I
Step 3: Label Codas
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N
N
N
N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Supplementary
Readings
Step 2:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
I
Step 3: Label Codas
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N
N
N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Supplementary
Readings
Step 2:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
I
Step 3: Label Codas
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N
O N
N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
O N O N
O N
N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
Onsets Over
Codas
N
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
O N O N
O N
O N
N
b æ d A ô t A g l i
Onsets Over
Codas
N
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
O N O N
O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
N
l i
N
Onsets Over
Codas
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
I [gl] is a possible onset of English (e.g. [glow])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
O N O N
O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N
l i
N
Onsets Over
Codas
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
I [gl] is a possible onset of English (e.g. [glow])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
O N O N
O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N
l i
O N
Onsets Over
Codas
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
I [gl] is a possible onset of English (e.g. [glow])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 2: Label the Onsets
Step 2:
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
I
Look at the consonants preceding each ‘N’
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be an onset.
I
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Write an ‘O’ above that sequence and connect each
phone to that ‘O’ with a line.
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
O N O N
O N
O
N
O N
Syllabic
Consonants
O N
Onsets Over
Codas
b æ d A ô t A g
l i
t æ g n I s p
I [ôt] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [ôt])
I [gl] is a possible onset of English (e.g. [glow])
I [gn] is not a possible onset of English (no word starts with [gn])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Finding the Onsets
Supplementary
Readings
I
I
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
To answer this, either:
I
I
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
A major part of ‘Step 2’ is figuring out “Can this
sequence of phones be an onset in English?”
Syllabification Rule
Use your own ‘intuitions’ as a native speaker
(if you are one)
Team up with a friend who is a native speaker
(if you aren’t one)
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Either way, you ask “can a word of English start with
this sequence of phones?”
.
.
.
.
.
.
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 3: Label the Codas
Supplementary
Readings
Step 3:
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
I
Look at the consonants following each ‘N’ (that aren’t
already labeled as ‘O’s)
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be a coda.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
I
Write a ‘C’ above that sequence and connect each phone
to that ‘C’ with a line.
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N
O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N
l i
O N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 3: Label the Codas
Supplementary
Readings
Step 3:
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
I
Look at the consonants following each ‘N’ (that aren’t
already labeled as ‘O’s)
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be a coda.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
I
Write a ‘C’ above that sequence and connect each phone
to that ‘C’ with a line.
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N
l i
O N
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 3: Label the Codas
Supplementary
Readings
Step 3:
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
I
Look at the consonants following each ‘N’ (that aren’t
already labeled as ‘O’s)
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be a coda.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
I
Write a ‘C’ above that sequence and connect each phone
to that ‘C’ with a line.
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N C O N
l i
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 3: Label the Codas
Supplementary
Readings
Step 3:
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
I
Look at the consonants following each ‘N’ (that aren’t
already labeled as ‘O’s)
I
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be a coda.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
I
Write a ‘C’ above that sequence and connect each phone
to that ‘C’ with a line.
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N C O N C
l i
t æ g n I s p
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 3: Label the Codas
Step 3:
Supplementary
Readings
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
I
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Look at the consonants following each ‘N’ (that aren’t
already labeled as ‘O’s)
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Find the largest continuous sequence that English
phonotactics allows to be a coda.
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
I
Write a ‘C’ above that sequence and connect each phone
to that ‘C’ with a line.
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N C O N
l i
C
t æ g n I s
p
I [sp] is a possible coda of English (e.g. [k2sp])
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Finding the Codas
Supplementary
Readings
I
As with Step 2, a major part of ‘Step 3’ is the
question “Can this sequence of phones be a coda in
English?”
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
I
To answer this question, either:
I
I
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Use your own intuitions as a native speaker
(if you are one)
Team up with a friend who is a native speaker
(if you aren’t one)
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
I
Either way, you ask “can a word of English end with
this sequence of phones?”
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 4: Add the Syllable Lablels
Step 4:
Supplementary
Readings
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
I
Above each N, write a ‘σ ’ (for syllable), and draw a line
connecting them.
I
If there is an O preceding an N, connect that O to the σ
that N is connected to.
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
If there is a C following an N, connect that C to the σ that
the N is connected to
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
O
N
O N C O N
l i
C
t æ g n I s
.
.
.
.
p
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 4: Add the Syllable Lablels
Step 4:
Supplementary
Readings
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
I
Above each N, write a ‘σ ’ (for syllable), and draw a line
connecting them.
I
If there is an O preceding an N, connect that O to the σ
that N is connected to.
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
If there is a C following an N, connect that C to the σ that
the N is connected to
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
σ
σ
σ
O N O N C O N
b æ d A ô t A g
σ
O
σ
N
Onsets Over
Codas
σ
O N C O N
l i
C
t æ g n I s
.
.
.
.
p
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 4: Add the Syllable Lablels
Step 4:
Supplementary
Readings
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
I
Above each N, write a ‘σ ’ (for syllable), and draw a line
connecting them.
I
If there is an O preceding an N, connect that O to the σ
that N is connected to.
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
If there is a C following an N, connect that C to the σ that
the N is connected to
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
σ
σ
σ
ON ON C ON
bæ d A ô t A g
σ
O
σ
N
Onsets Over
Codas
σ
ON C ON
l i
C
t æ g n I s
.
.
.
.
p
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Step 4: Add the Syllable Lablels
Step 4:
Supplementary
Readings
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
I
Above each N, write a ‘σ ’ (for syllable), and draw a line
connecting them.
I
If there is an O preceding an N, connect that O to the σ
that N is connected to.
I
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
If there is a C following an N, connect that C to the σ that
the N is connected to
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
Syllabic
Consonants
σ
σ
σ
ON ONC ON
bæ d A ô t A g
σ
O
σ
N
Onsets Over
Codas
σ
ONC ON
l i
C
t æg n I s
.
.
.
.
p
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Study Exercise:
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
I
At home, try running this procedure on the following
words:
I
I
I
(“understanding”)
(“Pepto Bismol”)
(“Bologna”)
[2nd1ôstændiN]
[pEptow bIzmAl]
[b2lowni]
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
I
Syllabic
Consonants
Confirm that our rule will predict the correct
syllabification for these words.
.
.
.
.
Onsets Over
Codas
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Summing Up
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
What We’ve Done So Far:
I
I
The Basics of
Syllables
We’ve laid out a rule that will correctly syllabify
English words.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
This rule, then, is one (very small) part of an answer
to our ‘fundamental question’.
Syllabification Rule
Step 1: Label Nuclei
Step 2: Label Onsets
Step 3: Label Codas
Step 4: Group Into Syllables
The Fundamental Question (for Linguists):
What is the system of rules and mental representations
that underlies out ability to speak and understand a
human language?
.
.
.
.
.
.
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Problem: Syllabic Consonants
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
But, there’s a problem for our syllabification rule...
I
If we follow this rule, the only possible nuclei we will
get will be vowels
I
However, although every vowel is a nucleus...
I
...some nuclei are not vowels.
.
.
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
.
.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabic Consonants in English
Key Fact:
The consonants [l], [n], and [ô], can be nuclei in English.
Supplementary
Readings
Words With Consonants as Syllabic Nuclei:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
I
“kitten”
[kI . tn]
I
“cuddle”
[k2 . dl]
I
“banner”
[bæ . nô]
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Question: Why do we say they are the nucleus of a syllable?
.
.
.
.
.
.
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabic Consonants in English
Key Fact:
The consonants [l], [n], and [ô], can be nuclei in English.
Supplementary
Readings
Words With Consonants as Syllabic Nuclei:
Introduction and
IPA Practice
I
“kitten”
[kI . tn]
I
“cuddle”
[k2 . dl]
I
“banner”
[bæ . nô]
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Question: Why do we say they are the nucleus of a syllable?
Answer: We hear these words as having two syllables, but
there is no ‘second vowel’ before the final consonant.
I
“kitten” and “cuddle”: tongue never leaves alveolar ridge
after [t]/[d].
I
“banner”: you go immediately from [n] to [ô], with no
intervening vowel
.
.
.
.
.
.
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabic Consonants in English
Supplementary
Readings
Vocabulary:
When a consonant serves as a syllabic nucleus, it is said
to be a syllabic consonant
IPA Representation:
In IPA, syllabic consonants are indicated by putting a little
vertical line beneath them:
I
I
“kitten”
“cuddle”
I
“banner”
[ kI . tn ]
"
[ k2 . dl ]
"
[ bæ . nô ]
"
.
.
.
.
.
.
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabic Consonants in English
It seems, then, that the real syllabification rule for English
outputs representations like these:
σ
σ
σ
σ
σ
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
σ
Syllables and
Phonotactics
ON ON
k I
t n
"
ON ON
ON ON
k 2 d l
"
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
bæ n ô
"
Onsets Over
Codas
The Problem:
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Our current rule won’t make representations like this
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so, we have to fix our rule...
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... but it goes beyond ‘201’ to explain how.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
One Last Mystery
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Question:
Why don’t we syllabify “bologna” like this: *[b2l . own . i]
I This syllabification is totally consistent with English
phonotactics.
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The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
[b2l] is a possible English syllable
[own] is a possible English syllable
[i] is a possible English syllable
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
The answer comes from an important feature of our rule...
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Onsets Over Codas
A Prediction of Our Rule:
Supplementary
Readings
If phonotactics allow a consonant to be either an onset or a
coda, then it will be an onset.
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[b2 . low . ni],
Introduction and
IPA Practice
not *[b2l . own . i]
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Question: How, exactly, does our rule predict this?
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Onsets Over Codas
A Prediction of Our Rule:
Supplementary
Readings
If phonotactics allow a consonant to be either an onset or a
coda, then it will be an onset.
I
[b2 . low . ni],
Introduction and
IPA Practice
not *[b2l . own . i]
The Basics of
Syllables
Question: How, exactly, does our rule predict this?
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Answer: Because our rule determines the onsets first.
Syllabification Rule
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Step 2:
Gather up all the consonants that can form an onset, and
label them as such.
Step 3:
Of the remaining consonants, gather up all those that can
form a coda, and label them as such.
Since our algorithm creates the onsets first...
...the codas are made out of only those consonants
that couldn’t form onsets...
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Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 1:
Label every vowel as a nucleus.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 1:
Label every vowel as a nucleus.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 1:
Label every vowel as a nucleus.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
N
N
N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 2:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
N
N
N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 2:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Step 2:
The Basics of
Syllables
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up all the
phones preceding a nucleus, and label them as an onset.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
I
Notice that on this step, we are forced to group [l] and [n]
as onsets
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The rule won’t let us “wait” to Step 3 to group them as
codas
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Step 3:
The Basics of
Syllables
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
Step 3:
The Basics of
Syllables
To the extent allowed by the phonotactics, gather up the
remaining unlabeled phones following a nucleus, and label
them as a coda.
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
I
Nothing happens at this step, since there are no
‘remaining unlabeled phones’.
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 4:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 4:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
σ
σ
σ
Onsets Over
Codas
O N O N O N
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Illustrative Derivation
Let’s see in detail how this works, by using our algorithm
to syllabify “bologna”
Supplementary
Readings
Introduction and
IPA Practice
The Basics of
Syllables
Step 4:
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Group together the ‘O’s, ‘N’s and ‘C’s into syllables.
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
σ
σ
σ
Onsets Over
Codas
ON ON ON
b 2 l ow n i
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Syllables and
Phonotactics
Summing Up:
Supplementary
Readings
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There is a general ‘preference’ for consonants to be
onsets, rather than codas.
That is, if the phonotactics allow a particular
consonant to be either an onset or a coda, then it will
be an onset.
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[b2 . low . ni], not *[b2l . own . i]
The codas will only be made out of those consonants
that couldn’t be onsets.
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The Basics of
Syllables
Syllables and
Phonotactics
Syllabification Rule
Syllabic
Consonants
Onsets Over
Codas
Our syllabification algorithm captures this fact, by
ordering the labeling of onsets before the codas.
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Introduction and
IPA Practice
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