ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-021 · ATLAS 259

Synaeresis

Synaeresis, in the phonetic or metrical context intended here, contracts adjacent vocalic syllables into one syllable.

Part of the subject path Sound, Phonetics and Phonology

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

F · Figure / procedure R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Synaeresis adds contraction of neighbouring vowel syllables as a link between sound and metre. Its boundary with cross-word synaloepha must be specified through the actual realisation.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Synaeresis, in the phonetic or metrical context intended here, contracts adjacent vocalic syllables into one syllable. Actual syllabification matters, not simply the spelling of two vowels. Diaeresis, in this context, denotes their separate pronunciation. The related term synizesis is also used with overlapping scope; universal synonymy is not assumed here. Analysis must consider actual pronunciation, metre and linguistic usage together. A metrically available reading is not necessarily the only ordinary pronunciation of a word.

Movement of thought

1. Identify the vowel sequence. 2. Specify possible syllable boundaries. 3. Observe pronunciation. 4. Examine metrical context. 5. State the terminological convention.

Scientific use case

Verse analysis can test alternative syllabifications against rhythm and pronunciation evidence.

Example

A schematic sequence [a.i] with two syllables can contract to one-syllable [ai̯]; a particular language example must be documented separately.

Counterexample

Two vowel letters prove neither two syllables nor that contraction has occurred.

Distinction

Distinguish synaeresis from spelling alone, every instance of elision and unrestricted equivalence with synizesis.

Effect on thought and perception

Synaeresis changes the temporal organisation of a sound sequence.

Resonance

Two vocalic steps can become a single beat.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Synaeresis“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-021. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-021

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-021

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