What are Syllabic Consonants? | English Phonology

Summary

This video explains syllabic consonants, which are consonants that function as vowels in unstressed syllables. It covers the structure of English syllables, demonstrating how syllabic consonants replace the schwa sound. Examples include words like 'rhythm', 'bottom', 'button', and 'frighten'. It also discusses how syllabic consonants can be nasals or liquids, with special focus on rare occurrences like 'broken' and regional variations in accents. The video explores how syllabic consonants can appear in multiple positions within words and provides a practical understanding of their usage in fast speech.

Takeaways

• 😀 A syllabic consonant is a consonant that functions as a vowel, forming a syllable on its own without needing another vowel sound.
• 😀 Syllables in English generally consist of a nucleus (vowel sound), an onset (consonants before the vowel), and a coda (consonants after the vowel).
• 😀 A syllable cannot contain more than one vowel sound; if there is another vowel, it forms a new syllable.
• 😀 Syllabic consonants replace the vowel sound (often a schwa) in unstressed syllables.
• 😀 In English, syllabic consonants are limited to nasals (like /m/, /n/) and liquids (like /l/, /ɹ/).
• 😀 Syllabic consonants are marked in phonetic transcription with a small dash beneath the consonant symbol.
• 😀 Example 1: 'Rhythm' becomes 'Rhythm' (with a syllabic /m/ replacing the schwa in fast speech).
• 😀 Example 2: 'Bottom' becomes 'Button' when the schwa sound disappears and the /m/ becomes syllabic.
• 😀 Example 3: 'Broken' can be pronounced as 'Broken' with a syllabic /n/ in rapid speech.
• 😀 Some syllabic consonants can occur at the beginning of syllables, like in the word 'perhaps' in certain American English accents.
• 😀 A single word can contain multiple syllabic consonants, as seen in words like 'national' or 'veteran' in fast speech.

Q & A

What is a syllabic consonant?

A syllabic consonant is a consonant that functions as the nucleus of a syllable, meaning it takes on the role of a vowel in forming a syllable. It can form a syllable on its own, without the need for another vowel sound.

Why are syllabic consonants also called vocalic consonants?

Syllabic consonants are sometimes referred to as vocalic consonants because they act as vowels within a syllable, taking on the vowel-like quality despite being consonants.

What are the components of a syllable in English?

A syllable in English consists of a nucleus (typically a vowel), an onset (one or more consonants before the nucleus), and a coda (one or more consonants after the nucleus).

How do syllabic consonants relate to the schwa sound?

Syllabic consonants often replace the schwa sound in unstressed syllables. The schwa is a weak, unstressed vowel sound, and in some cases, a syllabic consonant takes its place.

Which types of consonants can be syllabic in English?

In English, only nasals and liquids can be syllabic consonants. Nasals include sounds like 'm' and 'n', while liquids include 'l' and 'r'.

Can you provide an example of a syllabic nasal consonant?

An example of a syllabic nasal consonant is found in the word 'rhythm'. The 'm' sound in the final syllable acts as the nucleus, replacing the schwa and forming a syllable on its own.

What is an example of a syllabic liquid consonant?

An example of a syllabic liquid consonant is the word 'bottle'. The 'l' sound in the second syllable can function as the syllabic consonant when pronounced quickly.

Can syllabic consonants appear at the beginning of a word?

Yes, syllabic consonants can appear at the beginning of a word in certain accents, such as American English. An example is the word 'perhaps', where the first syllable can be pronounced with a syllabic 'r' sound, especially in fast speech.

What happens when syllabic consonants are used in fast speech?

In fast speech, syllabic consonants often replace vowels or schwa sounds, making the pronunciation more fluid and rapid. For example, 'bottom' can become 'button' with the 'm' becoming syllabic, or 'broken' can become 'broken' with the 'n' becoming syllabic.

Can a word contain multiple syllabic consonants?

Yes, a word can contain multiple syllabic consonants. For example, the word 'national' can be pronounced as 'nash-nul', where the schwa sounds in the second and third syllables are replaced by syllabic consonants.