LanGoPod Episode 3: What even is a syllable?

LanGoPod is a podcast that helps you learn languages more effectively by understanding linguistic principles. 💬

In our third episode of LanGoPod, we discuss the notion of the syllable and how it can be extremely useful for language learners.

A syllable is a rhythmic unit of human language. We discuss the parts of the syllable and how there are often restrictions on what sound segments can occur in which part. After a cross-language survey of "legal" syllable shapes, we provide some cross-linguistic applications: a look at onset restrictions in Portuguese, syllable structure in Korean, and a different rhythmic system (using morae) in Japanese.

We conclude the podcast with a challenge (what's the biggest syllable you can make?), a hilarious Sasak joke, and more favorites from our second book of Konglish puns!