Which term is defined as 'the initial phonological unit of any word'?

Which term is defined as 'the initial phonological unit of any word'?

• A. Onset
• B. Syllable
• C. Orthographic meaning
• D. Compound word

Answer: (C)

In pronunciation, a syllable is built from three parts: onset, nucleus, and coda. The initial phonological unit of a syllable is the onset—the consonant or consonant cluster that comes before the vowel. For example, in the word "cat," the onset is /k/. In "street," the onset is /str/ before the vowel /iː/. The rest of the syllable (the vowel) is the nucleus, and any following consonants form the coda. So, the term that matches this definition—the initial piece of the syllable’s sound—is onset. The other terms describe different ideas: the whole syllable structure, a concept tied to spelling and meaning, or a word formed from multiple words, none of which pinpoint the beginning sound of the syllable.

In pronunciation, a syllable is built from three parts: onset, nucleus, and coda. The initial phonological unit of a syllable is the onset—the consonant or consonant cluster that comes before the vowel. For example, in the word "cat," the onset is /k/. In "street," the onset is /str/ before the vowel /iː/. The rest of the syllable (the vowel) is the nucleus, and any following consonants form the coda.

So, the term that matches this definition—the initial piece of the syllable’s sound—is onset. The other terms describe different ideas: the whole syllable structure, a concept tied to spelling and meaning, or a word formed from multiple words, none of which pinpoint the beginning sound of the syllable.