Abstract
AbstractThe present study is a contrastive study which shows the scientific description of the syllable as a phonological unit in English and Arabic. One of the main problems in learning an FL is developing a unique set of transfer-related first language behaviours. So, the current study attempts to 1. Give an overview of the syllable in Phonology as a branch of linguistics, 2. Define the syllable in English and Arabic, 3. State the most prominent theories on which the syllable in English and Arabic is based, and 4. Show the structures and functions of the syllable in English and Arabic. In light of comparisons between both English and Arabic languages in terms of similarities and differences, this kind of contrastive analysis aids in the prediction of the characteristics that would indicate difficulty or ease in learning English. In terms of such comparisons between both aforementioned languages, the researchers draw conclusions about all the issues mentioned above.
