Sonority Sequencing Principle
Encyclopedia
The Sonority Sequencing Principle (SSP) is a phonotactic principle that aims to outline the structure of a syllable
in terms of sonority
.
The SSP states that the center of a syllable, namely the syllable nucleus, often a vowel
, constitutes a sonority peak that is preceded and/or followed by a sequence of segments--consonants--with progressively decreasing sonority values (i.e., the sonority has to fall toward both edges of the syllable). The sonority values of segments are determined by a sonority hierarchy
.
A good example for the SSP in English
is the one-syllable word "trust": The first consonant in the syllable onset is t, which is a stop
, the lowest on the sonority scale; next is r, a liquid
which is more sonorous, then we have the vowel u (ʌ) - the sonority peak; next, in the syllable coda
, is s, a fricative, and last is another stop, t.
Some languages possess syllables that violate the SSP (Russian
and English, for example) while other languages strictly adhere to it, even requiring larger intervals on the sonority scale: In Italian
for example, a syllable-initial stop must be followed by either a liquid, a glide
or a vowel, but not by a fricative (except: [ps] borrowed words like: pseudonimo, psicologia). Some languages allow a sonority "plateau"; that is, two adjacent tautosyllabic
consonants with the same sonority level. Modern Hebrew
is an example of such language.
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...
in terms of sonority
Sonority
Sonority may refer to:*sound*sonority hierarchy, a ranking of speech sounds by amplitude*In music theory, a chord, particularly when speaking of non-traditional harmonies...
.
The SSP states that the center of a syllable, namely the syllable nucleus, often a vowel
Vowel
In phonetics, a vowel is a sound in spoken language, such as English ah! or oh! , pronounced with an open vocal tract so that there is no build-up of air pressure at any point above the glottis. This contrasts with consonants, such as English sh! , where there is a constriction or closure at some...
, constitutes a sonority peak that is preceded and/or followed by a sequence of segments--consonants--with progressively decreasing sonority values (i.e., the sonority has to fall toward both edges of the syllable). The sonority values of segments are determined by a sonority hierarchy
Sonority hierarchy
A sonority hierarchy or sonority scale is a ranking of speech sounds by amplitude. For example, if you say the vowel [a], you will produce a much louder sound than if you say the plosive [t]...
.
A good example for the SSP in 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...
is the one-syllable word "trust": The first consonant in the syllable onset is t, which is a stop
Stop consonant
In phonetics, a plosive, also known as an occlusive or an oral stop, is a stop consonant in which the vocal tract is blocked so that all airflow ceases. The occlusion may be done with the tongue , lips , and &...
, the lowest on the sonority scale; next is r, a liquid
Liquid consonant
In phonetics, liquids or liquid consonants are a class of consonants consisting of lateral consonants together with rhotics.-Description:...
which is more sonorous, then we have the vowel u (ʌ) - the sonority peak; next, in the syllable coda
Syllable coda
In phonology, a syllable coda comprises the consonant sounds of a syllable that follow the nucleus, which is usually a vowel. The combination of a nucleus and a coda is called a rime. Some syllables consist only of a nucleus with no coda...
, is s, a fricative, and last is another stop, t.
Some languages possess syllables that violate the SSP (Russian
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
and English, for example) while other languages strictly adhere to it, even requiring larger intervals on the sonority scale: In Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
for example, a syllable-initial stop must be followed by either a liquid, a glide
Semivowel
In phonetics and phonology, a semivowel is a sound, such as English or , that is phonetically similar to a vowel sound but functions as the syllable boundary rather than as the nucleus of a syllable.-Classification:...
or a vowel, but not by a fricative (except: [ps] borrowed words like: pseudonimo, psicologia). Some languages allow a sonority "plateau"; that is, two adjacent tautosyllabic
Tautosyllabic
Two or more phonemes are tautosyllabic if they occur in the same syllable. Take for instance the English word "cat". Since this word is monosyllabic, the three phonemes /k/, /æ/ and /t/ are tautosyllabic. They can also be described as sharing a 'tautosyllabic distribution'...
consonants with the same sonority level. Modern Hebrew
Modern Hebrew
Modern Hebrew , also known as Israeli Hebrew or Modern Israeli Hebrew, is the language spoken in Israel and in some Jewish communities worldwide, from the early 20th century to the present....
is an example of such language.