What is a syllabic consonant?

Definition
	A syllabic consonant is a phonetic element that normally patterns as a consonant, but may fill a vowel slot in a syllable.

Examples
	The final nasals in /pattern/ The final nasals in /bottom/

Concept module: syllabic consonant
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): S
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004