This document discusses the structure of the English syllable. It defines a syllable as consisting of a center with less obstruction to airflow, known as the nucleus, surrounded by optional onset and coda elements with greater obstruction. The minimum syllable contains just a vowel nucleus, while other syllables may include up to three consonants in the onset before the vowel and up to four consonants in the coda after the vowel. In some cases, a consonant such as /l/, /r/, or nasal can act as the syllabic nucleus instead of a vowel.

1. ENGLISH PHONETICS AND PHONOLOGY I
Prof. Adriana Gonzalez

2. THE ENGLISH SYLLABLE

3. WHAT IS IT?
It is a very important unit. Phonetically (in relation to the way
we produce then and the way they sound), syllables are usually
described as consisting of a centre which has little or no
obstruction to airflow and which sounds comparatively loud,
before and after this centre (at the beginning or at the end of
the syllable). There will be greater obstruction to airflow and/or
less loud sound.

4. ELEMENTS OF A SYLLABLE
 Some syllables would be composed by a single vowel in isolation which is
called: MINIMUM SYLLABLE. A vowel sound stands as the CENTRE of the
syllable and it is the only obligatory element: are – or – err
 Some syllables have an ONSET, which is made up of all the consonants
before the nucleus. It is an optional element: bar – key – more

5. ELEMENTS OF A SYLLABLE
 Some syllables may have no onset but a CODA, which is everything
after the nucleus. It is an optional element: am – ought – ease
 Some syllables have ONSET and CODA: run – sit – fill

6. STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH SYLLABLE
The English Syllable consists of a vowel as the centre of the syllabe and a possible
combination of three consonant sounds before the vowel and a possible combination of
four consonant sounds after the vowel.

7. STRUCTURE OF THE ENGLISH SYLLABLE
CCC
V
CCCC
C3
vowel
C4
SPRAY /sprei/
RUN /rn/
TEXTS /teksts/

8. SYLLABIC CONSONANT
It occurs in syllables in which no vowels can be found. In this
case, a consonant, either /l/, /r/ or a nasal: /n/ /m/ //,
stand as the centre of the syllable instead of a vowel. It’s usual
to indicate that a consonant is syllabic by means of a small
vertical mark 