The sonority theory by Otto Jesperson Larionova Regina

The sonority theory by Otto Jesperson Larionova Regina 872(2e)

The sonority is used in it in a slightly different sense from that generally attached to it in present-day linguistic literature. By sonority we mean the prevalence in a speech sound of musical tone over noise. In the sonority theory the term is used in the meaning which is conveyed by the precise acoustic term carrying power.

Jesperson noticed that the sonority of speech sounds is not distributed in speech proportionally. Sound with a higher degree of sonority are surrounded be sound of weaker sonority. The peak of sonority are proceeded and followed by the valice.

On the basis of this observation Jesperson suggested the sonority theory of the syllable. According to this theory there are as many syllables in a word as there peaks of sonority

1 Open vowels 2 mid – open vowels 3 close vowels 4 semi – vowels 5 sonorants 6 voiced fricatives 7 voiced stoops 8 voiceless fricatives 9 voiceless stopps [fæmili]

At the same time in some word there are may be one peak of sonority – rhythmically. But according to the theory there are 2 syllables. The sort comes of this theory are still more strongly felt when the syllable division is to be defined. The syllable division is more significant then the definition of the number of syllables in the word.