Theory of phonetics

I. The study of syllabic structure of English and Russian words (theories).
II. Syllable division.


I. The study of syllabic structure of English and Russian words (theories).
It is generally known that speech is a continuum. But it can be broken into minimal pronounceable units into which sounds show a tendency to cluster or group themselves. These phonetic groups are given the name of syllables. Being the smallest pronounceable units, the syllables form language units of greater magnitude, that is morphemes, words and phrases. Each of these units is characterized by a certain syllabic structure. A meaningful language unit has two aspects: syllable formation and syllable division. Do we speak in syllables? If we do it, for example in Russian, it may have a specific purpose:
[хо-ро-шό] – 1) to help a pupil write a word orthographically correct;
2) to show a person that he isn’t clever or competent enough in writing.
[спар-так чем-пи-он] – 3) to declaim (recite) to support a favourite team, etc.
[я же вас пре-ду-преж-дал] -4) to make speaker’s words sound meaningful (not in his opponent’s favour).

Though a syllable can be studied on four levels:

- acoustic;
- articulatory;
- auditory;
- functional.
About 78% of all syllables in Russian are open. It is the dominant type of syllables. In Germanic languages the dominant type is a close one.
The syllable can be approached from different points of view. Thus many theories exist to study this phenomenon. Here are the most spread ones.
Theory I. Ancient Egyptian theory. According to this theory there are as many syllables in a word as the quantity of vowels in it. On this theory the teaching of orthography is based in schools.
Compare the words:
Beat them – there are 2 syllables in it.
Rhythm – there is 1 syllable in it.
But if we try to rhyme these words in the word rhythm there will appear to be 2 syllables. We “destroy” the inner structure of the word.