Syllable Structure

  • Syllable: A syllable consists of an onset and a rhyme.
    • Onset: An onset is always a sequence of consonants.
    • Rhyme: A rhyme consists of a nucleus and a coda.
      • Nucleus: A nucleus is a vowel.
      • Coda: A coda is a sequence of consonants.

Syllabic Consonants

Nasals and approximants can be syllabic; they can serve as a vowel within a syllable nucleus.

chasm[kæzm̩], simple[sɪmpl̩], ladder[aæɾɹ̩], eternal[itɹ̩nl̩], lion[laɪn̩], line[laɪn]