Abstract
A syllable in a monosyllabic tone language is postulated as having the following syllable constituents, i. e. matrices of features that do not specify individual segmentals. P is a matrix that conditions the three major types of syllables: open, closed, and syllabic consonantal, which are specified by the binary features｛±vocalic, ±open｝. T is tone, with various binary tone features. Z is voicing. G is the optional configuration of the air passage behind and below the oral cavity, including｛±aspirated, ±breathy, ±nasal, ±blottal｝. R controls the selection of G-features. T, G, and Z modify the qualities of the segmentals S. The syllable structure so defined is schematized as
TGZ
PR──
S
Sub-types of syllables like [pa, b'a, ban, ma(n), ma, mban, mat, bat,' ba(t), 'ba] are specified by mechanisms such as｛±delayed, ±suspended｝in the application of G. Not only syllable structure but also sound change and derivation are all explainable in terms of the nine binary features, vocalic, open, voiced, aspirated, breathy, nasal, glottal, delayed and suspended, and in terms of tone features.
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