Syllable onset

Syllable onset

In phonetics and phonology, a syllable onset is the part of a syllable that precedes the syllable nucleus.

yllable structure

The segmental structure of a syllable begins with an onset, followed by a rime or final.

:syllable: C1(C2)V1(V2)(C3)(C4) = onset: C1(C2) + rime: V1(V2)(C3)(C4):syllable: V1(V2)(C3)(C4) = onset: Ø (null) + rime: V1(V2)(C3)(C4):(C = consonant, V = vowel, optional components are in parentheses.)

Depending on the phonotactics of a language, the onset can consist of a single consonant or a consonant cluster. If a syllable begins with a vowel or another syllabic sonorant, then the syllable is said to have no onset, or a null onset. (Most languages allow this possibility.) The terms null initial and zero initial are used as well.


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