Phonology: Syllabic Structure 1.1

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This exercise will help you become more familiar with syllable structures in Standard English in terms of nodes, i.e., onset, nucleus, coda, and syllabification. For each question, select the syllable structure that best represents each word. Remember that in Standard English /m, n, l, ɹ/ are syllabic. When written with the diacritic for [+syllabic], e.g., /ɹ̩/, it is assumed that the symbol fills the nucleus and the coda. For this exercise we will use schwa in the nucleus to illustrate syllable structures in a simpler manner. Answers are presented in IPA transcription.

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Question 1

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word pad.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
p		æd

Hint:

There is no nucleic material in this structure. Furthermore, vowels are not permitted in coda position.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
p	æ	d

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
	pæ	d

Hint:

There is no onset in this structure and must be since the first sound in the word is a consonant. Furthermore, consonants are not permitted in the nucleus.

Question 2

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word peers.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
	pi	ɹz

Hint:

Here the initial consonant /p/ is found in the nucleus where only vowels are permitted.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
p	i	ɹz

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
pi	ɹ	z

Hint:

There are two errors in this structure. First, the vowel /i/ must fill the nucleus as it is the peak of sonority. Vowels are not permitted in onset position. Second, the non-syllabic /ɹ/ may not fill the nucleus and must be found in the coda as the first consonant in the complex coda /ɹz/.

Question 3

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word bleach.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
b	li	č

Hint:

Here /l/ is the second consonant in the complex onset thus must be found in this position with /b/. Furthermore, /l/ must not be found in the nucleus since it is non-syllabic.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
bl	ič

Hint:

In this case, the africate /č/ may not fill the nucleus since it is a consonant.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
bl	i	č

Question 4

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word try

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
tɹ	ai

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
t	ɹ	ai

Hint:

In this case. /ɹ/ is the second consonant in the complex onset. Remeber that consonants are not permitted in the nucleus. Furthermore, the diphthong, which is the peak of sonority must fill the nucleus. Vowels are not permitted in coda position.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
tɹ	a	i

Hint:

Here the componenrs of diphthong have been separated. /i/ here is vocalic and may not be found in the coda.

Question 5

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word pint.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
p	aj	nt

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
p	ajn	t

Hint:

Although nasals may be syllabic (fill the nucleus), in this case /n/ is the first consonant inthe complex coda, thus not syllabic. It needs to be in coda position.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
	paj	nt

Hint:

Here the consonant /p/ is found in nucleus position which is not permitted. /p/ must fill the onset.

Question 6

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word stick.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
st	ɪ	k

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
s	tɪ	k

Hint:

In this selection, all phonemes are found in the correct nodes except for the /t/, which is consonantal and is not permitted in the nucleus. Furthermore, it is the second consonant in the onset cluster. Both /s/ and /t/ must be found in the onset.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
st	ɪk

Hint:

The final sound in the word, /k/ must be found in the coda. Consonants are not permitted in the nucleus in English.

Question 7

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word storm.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
st	ɔɹ	m

Hint:

In this structure, the consonant /ɹ/ is found in the nucleus. Due to the fact that it is the first consonant in the complex coda, it must be in coda position with /m/.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
st	ɔɹm

Hint:

In this structure, the complex coda /ɹm/ is found in the nucleus where only vowels are allowed. Since they are consonants and the final sounds in the word, they must fill the coda.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
st	ɔ	ɹm

Question 8

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word boy.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
b	ɔj

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
b		ɔj

Hint:

The most notable error is that the nucleus is empty, which is not permitted in any language. Furthermore, the diphthong /ɔj/ fills the coda position, in which only consonants are allowed.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
	b	ɔj

Hint:

There are two errors in this structure. First, /b/ is a consonant and the initial sound in the word thus must fill onset position. Second, the diphthong /ɔj/ must fill the nucleus. Remember that vowels are not permitted in coda position.

Question 9

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word tack.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
t	æ	k

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
t		æk

Hint:

The vowel /æ/ is not permitted in coda position. Furthermore, the nucleus is empty.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
t	æk

Hint:

Here the consonant /k/ is not permitted in coda position.

Question 10

Select the structure that best represents the syllabification of the word cough.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
kɔ	f

Hint:

In this structure, the vowel, which must be found in the nucleus, is found in the onset. Furthermore, the last sound, which is a consonant should be in the coda. In English [-syllabic] consonants are not permitted in the nucleus.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
	kɔ	f

Hint:

There is no onset in this structure and must be since the first sound in the word is a consonant. Furhtermore, /k/ is not permitted in the nucleus.

σ
/	\
onset	rime
\|	/	\
\|	nucleus	coda
\|	\|	\|
k	ɔ	f

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Phonology: Syllabic Structure 1.1

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