Syllables in English
The syllable is a phonetic element of the language. We can talk about the importance of syllables for oral speech, while they do not participate in semantic word-formation. Therefore, the syllable is also called a pronunciation unit. Syllable division patterns
The role of syllable division in language: Syllable division patterns
- Formation of transfer norms. In order to correctly transfer a word from one line to another, you need to be able to divide it into parts according to the rules of syllable division.
- Criteria by which tokens can be divided. Syllables in English can be distinguished based on morphology, phonetics, or spelling. There is no single standard in this regard.
- Evolution of the language. Language is a living system that is constantly changing, and changes can lead to the emergence of new rules for division into syllables.
The patterns/rules for dividing into syllables in English
It is not enough to know the rules of syllables in English: you also need to know which of them should be addressed in a given situation. To read an English word correctly, you must:
- It is correct to put stress in the word. This is important because the pronunciation of a sound depends on whether it is struck or unstressed.
- Determine what type of syllable you are dealing with. There are four types of syllables in English – two basic and two conventional. The same letter in closed and open syllables will be read differently. Syllable division patterns
Here are the basics patterns to help you correctly divide the English word into syllables:
- There is a rule that makes it easy to understand how many syllables are in a given word. There will be as many syllables in any English word as there are vowels. For example, we will divide the word music into syllables like this: mu-sic. In this case, each syllable will have one vowel sound. It is possible to make a mistake, paying attention not to sounds, but to letters. Look at the word take: it has two vowels, but only one sound, so this word will be monosyllabic.
- It is important to understand that there may be no vowels in the English syllable at all. A sonorant consonant can also become a syllabary sound. These sounds that are pronounced “nose-in” are [m], [n], [l], [w], [r], and [j]. For example, the word mild consists of two syllables, although it has only one vowel. Syllable division patterns
- Note also that the consonant at the junction of the syllables refers to the second syllable. See how the division into syllables occurs in this word: pu-pil.
- One of the peculiarities of syllabic definition concerns the consonant l. We are talking about words in which there are several co-ordinates next to them, one of which is l. In this case, l will go to the second syllable, moreover, together with the letter that stands next to it. For example: ta-ble.
- In a special way, English lexemes are divided into syllables, in which three or more consonants stand one after another. In this case, one of them will go to the first syllable, which will become closed: lit-tle, cen-tre.
- Combinations of letters such as ld and nd in English form a separate syllable. Accordingly, the splitting is done like this: mi-ld, fi-nd.
- Remember: you need to start dividing a word into syllables from the end. Usually the border between syllables is between the vowel and the consonant, from which the new syllable begins.
- Pay special attention to words with zero sounds. If the letter is not pronounced, accordingly, it will not be displayed in the transcription and will not affect the syllabus in any way.
- If a word contains a doubled consonant or a combination of consonants that are not pronounced as one sound, they can go to different syllables. Syllable division patterns
- Syllables in English can be identical to prefixes and suffixes.
- Words with the ending -ed can be divided into syllables in different ways. It can act as a syllable if the vowel “e” is pronounced. If it gives a zero sound, the ending cannot be distinguished as a syllable.
- In this case, the ending -ing is always a separate syllable.
- And the last rule: if a word consists of two parts, between which there is a hyphen, each of these parts should be divided into syllables independently of the other. Syllable division patterns
