magazinelogo

Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science

ISSN Print: 2576-0556 Downloads: 472825 Total View: 3629465
Frequency: monthly ISSN Online: 2576-0548 CODEN: JHASAY
Email: jhass@hillpublisher.com
Article Open Access http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2023.02.025

A Descriptive Analysis of English Syllables

Danrui Li

School of Foreign Languages, Guangzhou Huashang College, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

*Corresponding author: Danrui Li

Published: March 28,2023

Abstract

The paper provides a descriptive analysis of English syllables in relation to Received Pronunciation (RP) and General American (GA). The syllable is the smallest conceivable speech expression and is a functional unit for linguistic analysis. It seems that most syllables can be identified based on human perception, due to the fact that the syllable is a mental representation in the human brain. However, not all cases of syllable analysis can rely on human perception, and systematic analysis is needed, with different rules taken into consideration. The paper aims to describe the constituents, phonotactic constraints and syllabification of English, providing a systematic view of the analysis of the English syllables. The constituents and the rules of phonotactic constraints of English syllables are clarified. The syllabification of English syllables is explored under the maximum onset principle, where a systematic process of syllabification is generated, and some miscellaneous cases out of the explanation of the maximum onset principle are discussed.

References

Abercrombie, D. (1967). Elements of general phonetics. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.

Ashby, M. and Maidment, J. (2005). Introducing phonetic science. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Catford, J. C. (1988). A practical introduction to phonetics. Oxford: Clarendon Press. 

Gut, U. (2009). Introduction to English phonetics and phonology. Huber, M and Mukherjee, J. eds. Switzerland: Peter Lang.

Hayes, B. (2009). Introductory phonology. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell.

Ladefoged, P. (2001). A course in phonetics. 4th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

How to cite this paper

A Descriptive Analysis of English Syllables

How to cite this paper:  Danrui Li. (2023) A Descriptive Analysis of English Syllables. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science7(2), 384-390.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2023.02.025