1. Syllable

2. Definition A syllable is a unit of sound composed of a central peak of sonority (usually a vowel), and the consonants that cluster around this central peak

3. Discussion Syllable structure, which is the combination of allowable segments and typical sound sequences, is language specific.

4. OptionalityDescriptionParts OptionalInitial segment of a syllable Onset ObligatoryCentral segment of a syllable Nucleus OptionalClosing segment of a syllable Coda

5. Example (English)

6. 1 What we might call a minimum syllable would be a single vowel in isolation, e.g., the words

7. 2 Some syllables have an onset (that is, they have more than just silence preceding the centre of the syllable):

8. 3 Syllables may have no onset but have a coda:

9. 4 Some syllables have onset and coda: