Complex Syllables

B.  Syllable Structures  -- Complex Syllables

An English syllable may have a string of consonants in the onset and in the coda as well.  For example, the word

Springs -----  [sprIŋz] ------ [spr] [I] [ŋz] 

[spr] in the onset

[I] the peak

[ŋz] in the coda.

Some words also consist of diphthongs such as “stake” [steIk] (2CVC).  The diphthong in a word is considered as only one peak

though there are two vowels, [e] and [I].

Some words may have a cluster of 3 consonants in the onset (3C) and 4 consonants in the coda (4C).  For examples, the words:

Spread  -----  [spr]  ----- [s] pre-initial onset consonant; 

                                          [p] initial onset consonant

                                          [r] post-initial consonant

Sinks  -----  [nks]  ------  [n]  pre-final coda consonant

                                        [k]  final coda consonant

                                            [s]  post-final coda consonant

Different Types of complex Syllabled Words in table

Words            onset                    peak              coda

              pre-initial  initial  post-initial                  pre-final   final   post-final

spring        [s]     [p]    [r]               [I]         Ø     [ŋ]     Ø

spread       [s]     [p]    [r]               [e]         Ø     [d]     Ø

sinks          Ø    [s]   Ø           [I]          [ŋ]    [k]    [s]

cleanse      [k]     [l]      Ø          [e]       Ø     [n]    [s]

strange      [s]     [t]     [r]               [eI]         Ø     [n]    [ʤ]