"Ivan Baines" <kinetic_wab@...> wrote:
> That may because the syllable structure is inspired by Japanese.
> A syllable may be CV, V or C (but while in Japanese the only
> C syllable is 'n', here pretty much any consonant can stand
> as a syllable on its own).
No, 'n' is not the only C mora in Japanese. A high vowel (/i/, /u/)
between two voiceless consonants will often become silent, and
a final high vowel after a voiceless consonant drops out in men's
speech as well. For instance, kana spelling "kontashita" would
be pronounced "ko-n-ta-sh-ta".
> So e.g. "kontaxta" is 5 syllables and is broken down as
> "ko/n/ta/x/ta"; all syllables are equal in length
That's called "mora timing".
> Well, I did make sure that I got a feeling for the function of
> the unfamiliar words, at least, before making the recording.
> I think the lack of melody is just the way I talk. :-) English
> in general (well UK English at least) tends to be less melodic
> than languages like German I think
Compare US English, and you may find it more melodic.
http://everything2.com/?node_id=657686
--
Damian