Syllabic consonant
Encyclopedia
A syllabic consonant is a consonant
which either forms a syllable
on its own, or is the nucleus of a syllable. The diacritic
for this in the International Phonetic Alphabet
(IPA) is the under-stroke, ⟨ ̩⟩ . It may be represented by an over-stroke, ⟨ ̍⟩ , if the symbol that it modifies has a descender
, such as in [ŋ̍].
, pronouncing syllabic consonants may be considered a sign of nativity. In High-German and Tweants (a Low Saxon dialect spoken in the Netherlands
), all word-final syllables in infinite verbs and feminine plural nouns spelled -en are pronounced with syllabic consonants. The High-German infinitive laufen (to walk) is pronounced [ˈlaufn̩] and its Tweants counterpart loopn is pronounced [ˈlɔːʔm̩]. Tweants scholars even debate whether or not this feature should be incorporated in spelling, resulting in two generally accepted spelling forms (either loopn or lopen).
Many dialects of English
may use syllabic consonants in words such as even
[ˈiːvn̩], awful
[ˈɔːfɫ̩] and rhythm
[ˈɹɪðm̩], which are usually regarded as realizations of underlying sequences of schwa
plus consonant (/ˈiːvən/ etc).
In some Norwegian
and Swedish
dialects, syllabic consonants may also be heard, for instance in the word liten (little): ['litn̩].
s. The only time obstruent
s are used syllabically in English is in onomatopoeia, such as sh! [ʃ̩] (a command to be quiet), sss [s̩] (the hiss of a snake), zzz [z̩] (the sound of a bee buzzing or someone sleeping), and tsk tsk! [ǀǀ] (used to express disapproval or pity), though it's not certain how to define what a syllable is in such cases.
[r̩] (and Vedic Sanskrit
[l̩]) are syllabic consonants, allophones of consonantal and . This continues the reconstructed situation of Proto-Indo-European
, where both nasals
and liquids
had syllabic allophones, .
features both syllabic m ([m̩]) and ng ([ŋ̍]) that stand alone as their own words. The former is most often used in the word meaning 'not' (唔, [m̭̍]) while the latter can be seen in the word for 'five' (五, [ŋ̬̍]) and the surname Ng
(吳, [ŋ̭̍] or 伍, [ŋ̬̍], depending on the tone
), among others.
syllables sī shī rī are sometimes pronounced [sź̩ ʂʐ̩́ ʐʐ̩́] respectively, with a syllabic fricative, although a pronunciation with a very close vowel is also heard, i.e. [sɨ̝́ ʂɨ̝́˞ ʐɨ̝́˞]. Standard Liangshan Yi
has two "buzzed" vowels that are also syllabic fricatives, [β̩, ɹ̝̍], the former of which may even be trilled [ʙ̞̍].
Sinologists
and linguists working in the Chinese analytical tradition frequently use the term apical vowel ( shejian yuanyin) to describe the above sounds and others like them in Mandarin Chinese and other Sinitic
and Tibeto-Burman languages
. The signs [ɿ], [ʅ], [ʮ], [ʯ] typically indicate these "apical vowels" in place of [z̩], [ʐ̩], [z̩ʷ], [ʐ̩ʷ], respectively. The term apical vowel should not be taken as synonymous with "syllabic fricative," as some syllabic fricatives do not have an apical
place of articulation, e.g. the bilabial fricative in Liangshan Yi [β̩].
, Salish
, and Wakashan languages
are sometimes used to illustrate syllabic obstruents in normal vocabulary, such as Nuxálk
[pʰtʰkʰtsʰ], [spʰs] "northeast wind", [sχs] "seal blubber", [ɬqʰ] "wet", [ťɬɬ] "dry", or [nujamɬɬɬɬ] "we (ɬ) used to (ɬɬ) sing (nujamɬ)". However, it is not clear how one would define a syllable or a syllabic nucleus in such cases, and it's therefore not clear whether any of these consonants should be considered syllabic.
Consonant
In articulatory phonetics, a consonant is a speech sound that is articulated with complete or partial closure of the vocal tract. Examples are , pronounced with the lips; , pronounced with the front of the tongue; , pronounced with the back of the tongue; , pronounced in the throat; and ,...
which either forms a syllable
Syllable
A syllable is a unit of organization for a sequence of speech sounds. For example, the word water is composed of two syllables: wa and ter. A syllable is typically made up of a syllable nucleus with optional initial and final margins .Syllables are often considered the phonological "building...
on its own, or is the nucleus of a syllable. The diacritic
Diacritic
A diacritic is a glyph added to a letter, or basic glyph. The term derives from the Greek διακριτικός . Diacritic is both an adjective and a noun, whereas diacritical is only an adjective. Some diacritical marks, such as the acute and grave are often called accents...
for this in the International Phonetic Alphabet
International Phonetic Alphabet
The International Phonetic Alphabet "The acronym 'IPA' strictly refers [...] to the 'International Phonetic Association'. But it is now such a common practice to use the acronym also to refer to the alphabet itself that resistance seems pedantic...
(IPA) is the under-stroke, ⟨ ̩⟩ . It may be represented by an over-stroke, ⟨ ̍⟩ , if the symbol that it modifies has a descender
Descender
In typography, a descender is the portion of a letter that extends below the baseline of a font. The line that descenders reach down to is known as the beard line....
, such as in [ŋ̍].
Germanic languages
In many dialects of High-German and Low SaxonLow German
Low German or Low Saxon is an Ingvaeonic West Germanic language spoken mainly in northern Germany and the eastern part of the Netherlands...
, pronouncing syllabic consonants may be considered a sign of nativity. In High-German and Tweants (a Low Saxon dialect spoken in the Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
), all word-final syllables in infinite verbs and feminine plural nouns spelled -en are pronounced with syllabic consonants. The High-German infinitive laufen (to walk) is pronounced [ˈlaufn̩] and its Tweants counterpart loopn is pronounced [ˈlɔːʔm̩]. Tweants scholars even debate whether or not this feature should be incorporated in spelling, resulting in two generally accepted spelling forms (either loopn or lopen).
Many dialects of English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
may use syllabic consonants in words such as even
Even
-General:* Even , a Scandinavian male personal name* Even , an ethnic group from Siberia and Russian Far East**Even language, a language spoken by the Evens* Odd and Even, a solitaire card game which is played with two decks of playing cards...
[ˈiːvn̩], awful
Awful
"Awful" is the twelfth single, and also third EP, by American alternative rock band Hole, from their third studio album Celebrity Skin. Released in April 1999 by Geffen Records as a CD single, the song's lyrics explore how the media and modern pop culture corrupt young girls and how they should...
[ˈɔːfɫ̩] and rhythm
Rhythm
Rhythm may be generally defined as a "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions." This general meaning of regular recurrence or pattern in time may be applied to a wide variety of cyclical natural phenomena having a periodicity or...
[ˈɹɪðm̩], which are usually regarded as realizations of underlying sequences of schwa
Schwa
In linguistics, specifically phonetics and phonology, schwa can mean the following:*An unstressed and toneless neutral vowel sound in some languages, often but not necessarily a mid-central vowel...
plus consonant (/ˈiːvən/ etc).
In some Norwegian
Norwegian language
Norwegian is a North Germanic language spoken primarily in Norway, where it is the official language. Together with Swedish and Danish, Norwegian forms a continuum of more or less mutually intelligible local and regional variants .These Scandinavian languages together with the Faroese language...
and Swedish
Swedish language
Swedish is a North Germanic language, spoken by approximately 10 million people, predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along its coast and on the Åland islands. It is largely mutually intelligible with Norwegian and Danish...
dialects, syllabic consonants may also be heard, for instance in the word liten (little): ['litn̩].
Obstruents
All of these consonants are sonorantSonorant
In phonetics and phonology, a sonorant is a speech sound that is produced without turbulent airflow in the vocal tract; fricatives and plosives are not sonorants. Vowels are sonorants, as are consonants like and . Other consonants, like or , restrict the airflow enough to cause turbulence, and...
s. The only time obstruent
Obstruent
An obstruent is a consonant sound formed by obstructing airflow, causing increased air pressure in the vocal tract, such as [k], [d͡ʒ] and [f]. In phonetics, articulation may be divided into two large classes: obstruents and sonorants....
s are used syllabically in English is in onomatopoeia, such as sh! [ʃ̩] (a command to be quiet), sss [s̩] (the hiss of a snake), zzz [z̩] (the sound of a bee buzzing or someone sleeping), and tsk tsk! [ǀǀ] (used to express disapproval or pity), though it's not certain how to define what a syllable is in such cases.
Sanskrit
SanskritSanskrit
Sanskrit , is a historical Indo-Aryan language and the primary liturgical language of Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.Buddhism: besides Pali, see Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit Today, it is listed as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and is an official language of the state of Uttarakhand...
[r̩] (and Vedic Sanskrit
Vedic Sanskrit
Vedic Sanskrit is an old Indo-Aryan language. It is an archaic form of Sanskrit, an early descendant of Proto-Indo-Iranian. It is closely related to Avestan, the oldest preserved Iranian language...
[l̩]) are syllabic consonants, allophones of consonantal and . This continues the reconstructed situation of Proto-Indo-European
Proto-Indo-European language
The Proto-Indo-European language is the reconstructed common ancestor of the Indo-European languages, spoken by the Proto-Indo-Europeans...
, where both nasals
Nasal consonant
A nasal consonant is a type of consonant produced with a lowered velum in the mouth, allowing air to escape freely through the nose. Examples of nasal consonants in English are and , in words such as nose and mouth.- Definition :...
and liquids
Liquid consonant
In phonetics, liquids or liquid consonants are a class of consonants consisting of lateral consonants together with rhotics.-Description:...
had syllabic allophones, .
Slavic languages
Many Slavic languages allow syllabic consonants. Some examples include:- CzechCzech languageCzech is a West Slavic language with about 12 million native speakers; it is the majority language in the Czech Republic and spoken by Czechs worldwide. The language was known as Bohemian in English until the late 19th century...
and SlovakSlovak languageSlovak , is an Indo-European language that belongs to the West Slavic languages .Slovak is the official language of Slovakia, where it is spoken by 5 million people...
r [r] and l [l], as in the phrase Strč prst skrz krkStrc prst skrz krkStrč prst skrz krk is a Czech and Slovak tongue-twister meaning "stick your finger through your throat".The sentence is well known for having a total absence of vowels, the nucleus of each syllable being a syllabic r, a common feature amongst many Slavic languages. It is often used as an example...
'stick your finger through your neck'. In addition, Slovak also has long versions of these syllabic consonants, ŕ and ĺ, e.g.: kĺb 'joint', vŕba 'willow' - Slovene (orthographicallyOrthographyThe orthography of a language specifies a standardized way of using a specific writing system to write the language. Where more than one writing system is used for a language, for example Kurdish, Uyghur, Serbian or Inuktitut, there can be more than one orthography...
) r [r], e.g. smŕt 'death', vŕt 'garden', kŕt 'mole', vŕba 'willow'; in StyriaLower StyriaLower Styria or Slovenian Styria is a traditional region in northeastern Slovenia, comprising the southern third of the former Duchy of Styria. The population of Lower Styria in its historical boundaries amounts to around 705,000 inhabitants, or 34.5% of the population of Slovenia...
also vŕv 'rope', as well as (non-orthographically) m, n, and l. - Serbo-CroatianSerbo-CroatianSerbo-Croatian or Serbo-Croat, less commonly Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian , is a South Slavic language with multiple standards and the primary language of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro...
r [r], e.g. trg 'square', vrh 'peak', škrt 'stingy', and l [l], e.g. bicikl 'bicycle', monokl 'monocle'. - MacedonianMacedonian languageMacedonian is a South Slavic language spoken as a first language by approximately 2–3 million people principally in the region of Macedonia but also in the Macedonian diaspora...
r, e.g.: првиот [pr̩v] 'the first', ѕрцки [dzr̩tski] 'insides', срце [sr̩tse] 'heart', незадржливо [nɛzadr̩ʒɫivɔ] 'unstoppable', and ′рбет [r̩bɛt] 'spine', ′рѓа [r̩ɟa] 'rust', ′рчи [r̩tʃi] 'snore', etc.
Cantonese
CantoneseCantonese
Cantonese is a dialect spoken primarily in south China.Cantonese may also refer to:* Yue Chinese, the Chinese language that includes Cantonese* Cantonese cuisine, the cuisine of Guangdong province...
features both syllabic m ([m̩]) and ng ([ŋ̍]) that stand alone as their own words. The former is most often used in the word meaning 'not' (唔, [m̭̍]) while the latter can be seen in the word for 'five' (五, [ŋ̬̍]) and the surname Ng
Ng
Ng is a Cantonese and Hakka transliteration of the Chinese surnames 吳/吴 and 伍 , and Hokkien and Teochew transliteration of the Chinese surname 黃 . It is pronounced , and 伍 means "five." It is sometimes romanized as Ang, Eng, Ing and Ong in the United States and Ung in Australia...
(吳, [ŋ̭̍] or 伍, [ŋ̬̍], depending on the tone
Tone (linguistics)
Tone is the use of pitch in language to distinguish lexical or grammatical meaning—that is, to distinguish or inflect words. All verbal languages use pitch to express emotional and other paralinguistic information, and to convey emphasis, contrast, and other such features in what is called...
), among others.
Syllabic fricatives
A number of languages have syllabic fricatives, also known as fricative vowels. In Mandarin Chinese the pinyinPinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
syllables sī shī rī are sometimes pronounced [sź̩ ʂʐ̩́ ʐʐ̩́] respectively, with a syllabic fricative, although a pronunciation with a very close vowel is also heard, i.e. [sɨ̝́ ʂɨ̝́˞ ʐɨ̝́˞]. Standard Liangshan Yi
Yi language
Nuosu , also known as Northern Yi, Liangshan Yi, and Sichuan Yi, is the prestige language of the Yi people; it has been chosen by the Chinese government as the standard Yi language and, as such, is the only one taught in school, both in its oral and written form...
has two "buzzed" vowels that are also syllabic fricatives, [β̩, ɹ̝̍], the former of which may even be trilled [ʙ̞̍].
Sinologists
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
and linguists working in the Chinese analytical tradition frequently use the term apical vowel ( shejian yuanyin) to describe the above sounds and others like them in Mandarin Chinese and other Sinitic
Sinitic languages
The Sinitic languages, often called the Chinese languages or the Chinese language, are a language family frequently postulated as one of two primary branches of Sino-Tibetan...
and Tibeto-Burman languages
Tibeto-Burman languages
The Tibeto-Burman languages are the non-Chinese members of the Sino-Tibetan language family, over 400 of which are spoken thoughout the highlands of southeast Asia, as well as lowland areas in Burma ....
. The signs [ɿ], [ʅ], [ʮ], [ʯ] typically indicate these "apical vowels" in place of [z̩], [ʐ̩], [z̩ʷ], [ʐ̩ʷ], respectively. The term apical vowel should not be taken as synonymous with "syllabic fricative," as some syllabic fricatives do not have an apical
Apical consonant
An apical consonant is a phone produced by obstructing the air passage with the apex of the tongue . This contrasts with laminal consonants, which are produced by creating an obstruction with the blade of the tongue .This is not a very common distinction, and typically applied only to fricatives...
place of articulation, e.g. the bilabial fricative in Liangshan Yi [β̩].
Other languages
BerberBerber languages
The Berber languages are a family of languages indigenous to North Africa, spoken from Siwa Oasis in Egypt to Morocco , and south to the countries of the Sahara Desert...
, Salish
Salishan languages
The Salishan languages are a group of languages of the Pacific Northwest...
, and Wakashan languages
Wakashan languages
Wakashan is a family of languages spoken in British Columbia around and on Vancouver Island, and in the northwestern corner of the Olympic Peninsula of Washington state, on the south side of the Strait of Juan de Fuca....
are sometimes used to illustrate syllabic obstruents in normal vocabulary, such as Nuxálk
Nuxálk language
Nuxálk is a Salishan language spoken in the vicinity of the Canadian town Bella Coola, British Columbia by approximately 20-30 elders...
[pʰtʰkʰtsʰ], [spʰs] "northeast wind", [sχs] "seal blubber", [ɬqʰ] "wet", [ťɬɬ] "dry", or [nujamɬɬɬɬ] "we (ɬ) used to (ɬɬ) sing (nujamɬ)". However, it is not clear how one would define a syllable or a syllabic nucleus in such cases, and it's therefore not clear whether any of these consonants should be considered syllabic.