Which term describes the core vowel portion of a syllable?

Which term describes the core vowel portion of a syllable?

• A. Onset
• B. Nucleus
• C. Coda
• D. Rime

Answer: (B)

The central vowel sound of a syllable is called the nucleus. In syllable structure, a syllable is typically analyzed as onset + nucleus + coda. The nucleus carries the vowel, is usually the most sonorous part, and defines the core of the syllable. The rime, which describes the vowel plus any following consonants, includes the nucleus and the coda, while the onset consists of the consonants before the vowel. Because the nucleus specifically refers to the central vowel portion, it is the term that best describes the core vowel of a syllable.

The central vowel sound of a syllable is called the nucleus. In syllable structure, a syllable is typically analyzed as onset + nucleus + coda. The nucleus carries the vowel, is usually the most sonorous part, and defines the core of the syllable. The rime, which describes the vowel plus any following consonants, includes the nucleus and the coda, while the onset consists of the consonants before the vowel. Because the nucleus specifically refers to the central vowel portion, it is the term that best describes the core vowel of a syllable.