Optimal syllable
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 .