II. Syllable formation.

If a syllable is a sequence of sounds, then one sound is usually in stronger position and is better heard. This sound is called syllabic. Syllabic sounds in English language are vowels (monophthongs and diphthongs) and sonants. Thus, syllable formation in English is based on the opposition vowels\consonant. Consonants are not syllabic.

A sonant becomes syllabic if it is preceded by a noise consonant. Syllabic sonants are considered to be – [l], [n], and less often [m].

In the following words sonants are syllabic: [sΛdn], [dΛznt], [rΛ∫n]. And in the following words they are not syllabic: [sænd], [dəunt du].

If the word is pronounced with a neutral sound before a sonant, the latter loses its syllabic function: as in words [sΛdən],[RΛ∫ən].

In the English language sonants w and j are never syllabic. It may be explained by their position in a word (usually initial).

Each syllable has its own, certain structure which depends on a sound that occurs in the final position. Structures of a syllable can vary due to the amount and the arrangement of consonants. Taking this into account we may differentiate two basic types of a syllable: open and closed. The first ends with a vowel sound like in the words writer, he, they; and the second ends with the consonant as in words it, without, hundred.

In English there are distinguished 4 basic types of syllables. If we take C – for a consonant and V – for a vowel, the structure of a syllable can be displayed in a plenty of combinations.

- completely open syllables consisting only from one vowel - V ([o:],[ai])

- completely closed syllables CVC, CVCC, CCVC: bit, left, pleis;

- the syllables covered at the beginning: CV (nou), CCV, CCCV - too, spy, straw, note.

- the syllables covered at the end: VC, VCC, VCCC - on, act, acts, oh, oak.

Thus, all types of syllables can be united in one scheme in the following way - (C) V (C) where brackets show optional presence of a consonant.

Speaking about the structure of the English syllable, it is necessary to mention, that the one deals with the phonetic syllables, i.e. with the syllables consisting of actual sounds of speech. And we should not confuse them with the open and closed syllables, used in the rules of reading.

Also it is necessary to note, that in the English language the basis type of a syllable is a closed one. (while in Russian open) The amount of consonants in prevocalic positions, i.e. in a position preceding the vowel, can reach 3, and in a postvocalic position, i.e. after a vowel - 5. The number of syllable varieties is 23. The number of syllables in the English word may vary from 1 to 8. For example,

Come, city, family, simplicity, unnaturally, incompatibility, unintelligibility.

II. Syllable division.

Syllable division is very closely connected with syllable formation

Syllable division is marked by an increase of muscular tension and greater force of an exhalation.

Syllable division in various languages has the linguistic importance as it enables to create typology of syllables and syllabic structure of significant units of language, i.e. morphemes and phonemes.

Syllable division determines syllabic structure of a language, its syllabic typology. The science which is engaged in the problems of the syllable division is called phonotactics.

Correct syllable division is very important because closely connected with pronunciation and thus with understanding. Wrong division of words into syllables can result in phonological mistakes and as a result will lead to misunderstanding. Compare: a name - an aim; a nice house - an ice house; she saw the meet - she saw them eat.

It is easy to understand that syllabic structure of a language, as well as its phonemic system, is patterned. It means, that sounds in a language are grouped in syllables according to certain rules.

As phoneticians specify, the problem of syllable division in English exists only in the case, when consonants (or the combination of consonants) is in intervocalic position as in words city, agree, extra …

In such cases the point of syllable division is not easily found.

Some phoneticians claim, that the border of a syllable passes right after the intervocalic consonant, while the others insist, that it goes directly through the consonant. In both cases the syllable remains closed according to the rules of phonotactics. The instrumental analyses showed, that the border of a syllable in such words as pity, topic, measure, Bobby. i.e. (C) VCV (C) type, passes directly through the consonant.

Syllable division of English words is based on the following rules.

1. the intervocalic consonant tends to join the following syllabic sound if it is preceded by a diphthong, long vowel or a short unchecked vowel. The boundary goes immediately after the vowel Like in words: Betty, hotter, money

Here some peculiarities or different points of view should be taken into account.

1. the intervocalic consonant can belong to the short vowel preceding it (pity, cofi, beter)

2. the intervocalic consonant can belong to the short vowel following it piti, cofi, beter

3. syllable boundary goes through the consonant ( in this case both consonant sounds structurally belong to preceding and flowing vowels) .

2. A short stressed vowel separated from another syllabic sound only by one consonant is considered to form a closed syllable a syllable boundary being within the consonant: meni, spanish, bodi, etc.

Now we shall proceed directly to the function of the English syllable of which we may count 2.

Well, English syllable possesses two basic functions.

The First function is constitutive function. It lies in its ability to be a part of a word or a word itself. As the syllable forms language units of a higher rank (morphemes, words).

The Second important function of a syllable – is distinctive. I.e. syllables can distinguish words and word forms. Compare:

Nitrate - night rate, an aim - a name, mice kill - my skill, peace talks - pea stalks, I saw her eyes - I saw her rise.

Summarizing the whole idea, I would to once again mention, that the syllable can be viewed as the smallest pronounceable unit of a certain linguistic importance.