Sound combinability, syllable structuring

Phonotactics refers to the rules or constraints governing the permissible combinations of sounds in a language. It dictates how sounds can be arranged in words, including which sounds can appear together and in what order. Phonotactic rules vary across languages and can influence pronunciation and syllable structure.

Philip James Hamilton has written:

'Phonetic constraints and markedness in the phonotactics of Australian Aboriginal languages'

Ju rgen Klausenburger has written:

'French prosodics and phonotactics' -- subject(s): French language, Phonology, Versification

The permitted arrangements of sounds in a language are determined by its phonotactics, which specify the possible combinations of phonemes (distinct sounds) that can occur within words. Phonotactics establish rules for which sounds can appear at the beginning, middle, and end of syllables, as well as any restrictions on consonant clusters or vowel sequences. These rules vary by language and help shape the characteristic sound patterns of a language.