Optimal syllable

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A syllable or syllable structure that is optimally adapted to the phonotactic rules and restrictions of syllable formation in a language is referred to as an optimal syllable in the sense of the theory of optimality .

Especially with regard to the sonority principle in syllable formation, a syllable structure that maximizes the contrast of sonority is considered to be optimal. Such a syllable, which is as short as possible, only has a (mostly vocal) syllable core (V) and an initial syllable attachment (K) and does not use the coda . So it only consists of a consonant and a vowel (scheme KV). Insofar as the sonority principle is regarded as universal , the KV structure is regarded as a universally optimal syllable structure. Proof of this is that the KV scheme is permissible in practically all languages ​​and is the only permissible scheme in some languages. This scheme is also known as the ideal syllable .

literature

  • Caroline Féry, Ruben van de Vijver (eds.): The syllable in optimality theory. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 2003, ISBN 0-521-77262-1 .