Category:Phonology
Feature:Syllable Structure WALS
Name:Moderately complex
Languages (557):
Conlangs (492):
Klingon
Shemspreg
Tircunan
Ayeri
Deini
Lembrin
Hasu Khomiyo
Naidda
Kelenala
Héhà
Nawe
Mikiana
Minza
Ayasthi
Saya
Akat
Rnihonön
Bryatesle
Alashian
Zhyler
Dravean
Zhytjetji
Jaibi
Rhean
Jarolim
Ghaf
Marijo
Quenya
Sindarin
Velu
Skerre
Jarda
Kisuna
Jaghri
Senjecas
(C)V(C)
Wikilret
Ilvarii
Adeyan
Ngengenoef
Sathir
Neo-Khitanese
Celíminé
Vilani
Lajik
Cirena
Ryupisasa
Dahilese
Latadid
Bashika
Asha'ille
Tinzirean
Barip
Tersales
Tine
'Yemls
new
P'aa
Taruven

CCVC, with strict rules for medial clusters:

CCVC + CCVC → CCVCCVC
Velyan
Lekmokulka
Feayran
Kuyʔūn
Qichiuqtluq
Imuthan
Kiassan Turasta
Nisela
Tama
Katkagor
Yulasa
Lhenazi

CCV; clusters must end with one of /ɬ ɹ/. CCVC allowed word-finally.

FIAL
Classical Rossan
Alopian
Sjal
Taiwazaiho
Angosey
SIAL
Buruya Nzaysa
Ouxu
Alpic
Fila
Krig
Deata
Wooshe
Yivrian
Neimalu
Nakio
Theadish
Zanese
Miirna
Surang Jumbar
Ueyoonja
Kono Mai
matorian
Dothraki
Nenek
Kaitiri
Dzuutani
Fakename3
draga
Proto-Kunnu-lujungo
Uirian
Ngovasi
Thiuas
Lemohai
Toilan
Cenyani
Emnonian
Elesu
Shuran
Syllable template is CV(C).
Naeso
Majlang
Sentalian
Kanteian
Dètren
Sonerha
Kēlen
Ngaru
Ixe Wa
Nizhmel
Avrelang
Aaro
Raig
Jayus
Elanian
Kemba
Emyt
Frimer
Proto-Qephex
South Eresian
Standard Ancaron
Endehl
Kassunetian
Celdirin
Insular Kett
Proto-Ksqrian
Ozavakve
Baranxe'i
Proto-Aukkangtin
Zorillo
Rawang Ata
Pyratela
Lonmai Luna

Except for loanwords, proper names and onomatopoeias, there are no initial or final consonant clusters, and consonant clusters with no more than three consonants can occur between two vowels.

Salhari
Nevotak

The Syllable structure of Nevotak is (C)V(C)

Anshanish
Xashi
Llapakhi
(C)V(C)
Mugini
Renian
(initial)V(final)

- Any consonant may start a syllable as an initial.
- Only voiced consonants and nasals may end a syllable as a final.
- A vowel is required in the middle.
Kostakan
Any consonant may start a syllable, but only D, G, L, M, N, W, Y, and Z may end a syllable. 

A consonant is required to start a syllable unless there is a consonant in the coda. 

There must be a vowel in the coda, behind the possible final consonant.

Therefore:
CV
VC
CVC
Redspeech
Canonically (C)(v, j)V(V, t, s, n, r, l) although syllables beyond CV or CVn rather uncommon.
Treyll
Cherun
Manchu
Tlaymyts
Slyrdian
Korpasian
Rammy
Himmaswa

(C1)(C2)V(C3)

Rules:

  • C1 and C2 are never both nasals or fricatives, or stops of the same articulation point
  • if C1 and C2 are of the same articulation point, C2 is never a nasal
  • C2 can never be /f/
  • /j/ and /w/ are rare in C2 position
  • /h/ never appears in clusters
  • C3 is never a voiced stop or fricative

When a stop is preceded by a heterorganic nasal, an extra-short schwa /ə̆/ occurs medially.

Arroe
Lodeen
The syllable structure of Lodeen is: (C)(C)V(C)(C) where V can be a monophtongue or a diphtongue.

Any consonant can begin a syllable and any consonant excepted /w/ can end a syllable. Any sole consonant can appear intervocally.

Besides, the approximant /w/ can never appear in a consonants cluster.

Phonologic constraints on consonants clusters are:

An onset consonants cluster can be comprised of:

* a plosive followed by /s/, /l/ or /j/ except for /t/ which can't be followed by /l/;
* /s/ followed by any plosive;
* /f/ followed by /l/ or /j/;
* a nasal followed by /j/;
* a liquid followed by /j/.

Thus, all consonant clusters allowed at the beginning of a syllable are:

ps, pl, pj, ts, tj, ks, kl, kj, sp, st, sk, fl, fj, mj, nj, lj.


A word-ending coda consonants cluster can be:

kt, st, sk, lt, lk.

A cross-syllable consonants cluster can involve any of the onset and coda clusters plus some others, the whole set of rules being:

* a plosive /p/ or /k/ followed by any consonant excepted nasals and /w/;
* /t/ followed by /p/, fricatives or /j/;
* /f/ followed by /l/ or /j/;
* /s/ followed by any consonant except for /j/ or /w/;
* /m/ followed by any consonants excepted nasals and /w/;
* /n/ followed by a fricative, /t/, /k/ or /j/;
* /l/ followed by any consonant except for /w/;
* /j/ followed by any consonant except for /w/.

Note that, being intervocalic, those consonants clusters will get voiced, and will be written as such; thus, all consonants clusters allowed cross-syllabically are :

bd, bg, bv, bz, bl/pl, bj ; gb, gd, gv, gz, gl/kl, gj ; db, dv, dz, dj ; vl/fl, vj ; zb, zd, zg, zv, zm, zn, zl/sl ; mb, md, mg, mv, mz, ml, mj ; nd, ng, nv, nz, nj ; lb/lp, ld/lt, lg/lk, lv/lf, lz/ls, lm, ln, lj ; jb, jd, jg, jv, jz, jm, jn, jl.

------

Note that, a word might be written with two same consonants or vowels, mostly for morphological consistency or for differentiating some homophones; the consonant might then be geminated or the vowel lengthened but such phenomena have no phonemic reality.
Naghtvin
Uyendur
Isoldian
Qitatyattas

maximal: (C)(C)V(C), although initial clusters exist

Medusaean
Yìrasì
Nayraki

Maximally (C)(V)V(C) although most syllables are CV or V.

Only /n/ and /t/ may appear as a coda. /n/ may only be followed by a plosive or by /s/; /t/ may only be followed by a nasal or by /s/. The complete list of consonant clusters is therefore /np nt nk ns tm tn ts/. An epenthetic /y/ is inserted between any other pairs.

/h/ only appears word-initially.

Orin
Average language
anotherunnamed
Ancient Yakim Language

(C)V(C), syllables can only be endnd with vowels or /n/, the pronunciation of the coda /n/ maybe changed according to the place of articulation of the following consonant.

Poeplish
K'u1k'uts'
Tslure Thujekatsoth
Mamambam
Vrlungla
Marag
Alahithian
(C)V(C)(C)
Loglan
Kiswona
Somaltepota
1) Syllable template is CV(C).

2) All morphemes must end in a vowel.

3) There are no phonemic diphthongs.

4) Permitted syllable codas are /m, n, ŋ, p, k, ʔ, ts, tʄ, s, ʄ, r, l, j, w/.

5) Consonant clusters only occur at syllable boundaries within a word.

6) Clicks may only occur root-initially.

7) Nasals may not follow nasalised clicks.

8) Permitted consonant clusters:

a) /m/ + /m, j, w/

b) /m, n/ + /t, ʔ, tθ, ts, tʄ, tɬ, r, l, ʎ/

c) /n/ + /n/

d) /m, ŋ/ + /p, k, kx, kxʷ, ɡʟ/

e) /ŋ/ + /ŋ/

f) /p, k, ʔ/ + /s, ʄ/

g) /ts, tʄ/ + /p, k, ʔ/

h) /s/ + /kxʷ/

i) /s, ʄ/ + /p, t, k, ʔ, tθ, tɬ, kx/

j) /r/ + /r, j/

k) /r, l/ + /m, n, ɲ, ŋ, ŋʷ, p, t, k, ʔ, ts, tʄ, tθ, kx, kxʷ, w/

l) /l/ + /l/

m) /j, w/ + /m, n, ŋ, p, t, k, ʔ, ts, tθ, tɬ, kx, r, l, ɡʟ/

9) Suffixes are the only morphemes that may begin with a consonant cluster.

10) High vowels may not occur after clicks, lateral alveolars, palatals, labialised velars, liquids or /ʔ/.

11) Front vowels may not follow back vowels within the same word without an intervening central vowel.

12) Back vowels may not follow front vowels within the same word without an intervening central vowel.

13) Roots and particles have two syllables.

14) Suffixes may have one or two syllables.

15) Unnaturalised foreign loan words may have roots with more syllables than normal.
Barbane
donawean
Ebo Lingai
Lci
westcontinental Ngyamkyehe language
Pupupulandish
Vishak
PROTO_RELIGIO
Alakulian
Tatari Faran
Ebisedian
Felbahn
Platapapan
Başam
Azniar
Ndok Aisô
Q'oligo
City Speech
It's (C)V(C), but V stands for all vowels and syllabic r and l.
Old Lonmai luna
Meditsrai
Sonorian
Necarasso Cryssesa
Kaujasakka
Sarian
Gehui
Tengan
Seto ka'palo

(C)V(C), but reduced vowels are not written and may be elided in casual or faster speech.

for example, the word fnio("fish") is pronounced as /fɨ.'ni.o/ in careful speech, but is frequently pronounced as /'fni.o/ in casual or faster speech.

Hiatuses of vowels do appear

Ancient
Palethian
Maksinaunminverbe
Jumban
Shokitin
Begonian
Bhadlam
Xazik Gohuilim
Emeranye
Aoma
Madekankomi
Levran (s)C(r,l)V(s,n,r,l): The oberture of the syllable can only have the 's, r, l' if C=plosive. Syllables cannot start with a vowel, a consonant is always needed.
Kuty
Temarp
Iaskyon
Femmish
Satang (C)V(m, n, ŋ, s)
Oedilaiffe
Not a creole
Initial: (C)V
Medial: CV
Final: CV(C*)
*finals limited to {m n ɾ r l s}
Aingeljã
Kamëzet
Rireinutire
Lang3
Sazhir
Meino
Knashta
Guzadinkya
Meletsian
Wally Toxic
Sunbyaku
FeNeKeRe
Proto Tændean
Proto-Gramurn
Thȧtareni
Isolating thing inspired by mesoamerican and southeast asian
Usangtari
Alumian
Ñamu
Avemuacha
Makadian
Nuvelé
Shujum
Khulls
Gammidge
LipTalk
Abaru Human Proto-Language
Keihansoukaishi
Telim
Nefer Jed
Damiyaa
Guezu
Old Balres
Primitive Tule Defi
Laucariman
Sǔra
Khanese
Minhast
Nuim
Fritheyish
NaN
SLMN
Cikap
National Simphonian
Proto-Toroq
Traup
Derovian
Negric
Vtayn
Averagelang
Ghasde
yashde
Rogel
Ythnandosian
Afri
Literary Fire
Suhon
Workinprogressian
Indertonne Syllable template is (C)V(C).
Summerlandic
Mira
Proto-Tampoluric
Valthungian
Northeadish
Neoquux
Cheklomino
Jel
CN(C) with closed syllables only at the end of a word, unless lexicalized through compounding
Surimban
Mindakri
Temporary1
Deinau
Alfen
Jorivuzedox (Modern Southern)
Settamu
Agyiyi
Ndatshok
Jutean
Luquv
Haotyetpi
Reber Wiebian
Yuzojo
lietūska
Ba'eni
Salga
South Germanic
Kaingu
Oklane Maximally: CCV:N
Classical Uraki
Hux Kham
Iloyan
Old Kaiese
Patuximis
bal'ukbar
Thuun
Anikuek
Gjeyejz-sjayajz
Wihri
Nattoretan
Cyraceí
Tasza
Valkanshia
Tajju-njo Gwa
Flatlang
Ensurti
Hayaxmi
Red Creek
Dearean
Ɣu
Numi
Onnasurin
Thulean
Weakwan
Karemar
Gadu Fav
Mayato MKII
Thosk
Proto-Maritime
Talbas
Carrajina
Common Honey
Firen
Selade
Gothish
Kolyma Ainu
Eitinodo
Sape
Xingish
Saftian
Qrai
Lortho
Leom
Faikari
Dhrahhynian
Dwendish
Luluvo
Illicraic
INS
Dwarvish
Kiriyow (Creole)
TBD
CALS Average Feature Values
Interesting
Average Conlang
Pandunia
Sonsear
Ilcharotic
Enlalen
Atlam
Voksigid
Darsra
Brasarg
Laga
Westlandish
Matanin
Pandunia (Inflected)
Menxháo
Avalonian
Syllable template is (C)V(C).
Eneqa
Asokon
mundeze
Zdetl
Polarian
Huttese (fanmade)
Empolese
Hallon
Dhakhsh
Kesh
Saremite, Old
Inote
’Ukana’akau
Nicho
Sylvan
Azalian
Cylvian
HIH
Wara
Edebro
Ubaghuns Tëhe
Emihtazuu
Scotian
Miri
Muosan
Jhaa
Gr
Altairian
Timuka
Hylsian
Syt
Sevzoi
Yuraalian
Zutian
Middle Olgish
Old Olgish
High Aribelian
Avendonian
Old Soskish
Proto-Hakessian
Common Western Hakessian
Iliatarian (Sulutmuri & Ngwano)
Iliatarian (Lerewe Giri)
Wild Tongue
Mikoshi
Parian
Hacklow
Jongré
Undercommon
Rukun
Toki Ma
Toki Pona
Qaelian
Nonlen
MPCL(PN)
Syllable template: (C)V(C).
Alál
Cropish
Archek
Arcek
Kaas
Varta Avina
Irani
Lihanian
Sen:esepera
Palato
Omni-kan
Ralanian
Interglossa
Glosa
Laadan
Free Tongue
Speech of the New West
Jakvalat Syllable template is C(C)V(C).
Mini
Nkarkoa
Laiqbun
Valtal
the I-Picked-Some-Random-Features-With-a-Die Language)
Sibirgo
Agalatian
Cialmi
Ebma
Lauvinko
Mipukwi
Toaq
Globasa
Elias Savolainen
Ta Ti
Bengenese
Keltsvian
Latejami
Miut
Sona
iigraa
Gwaxol
Modern Eltan
Vrkhazhian
Etlish
Vularin

Natlangs (65):
Mandarin
Japanese
Spanish
Turkish
Finnish
Acoma
Ainu
Amele
Arapesh
Asmat
Bagirmi
Burmese
Chamorro
Epena Pedee
Evenki
Ewe
Gooniyandi
Greenlandic (West)
Hausa
Hixkaryana
Hmong Njua
Hunzib
Iraqw
Jakaltek
Kayardild
Koromfe
Khoekhoe
Kiowa
Kilivila
Kanuri
Koasati
Kobon
Korean
Krongo
Lango
Lavukaleve
Malagasy
Mapudungun
Meithei
Martuthunira
Ndyuka
Ngiyambaa
Nunggubuyu
Oromo (Harar)
Rama
Shipibo-Konibo
Slave
Sanuma
Supyire
Tagalog
Thai
Tiwi
Vietnamese
Wari'
Wichi
Yagua
Yaqui
Yukaghir (Kolyma)
Zulu
Cree (Plains)
Mundari
Ika
Trumai
Dani (Lower Grand Valley)
Urubu-Kaapor