Chapter I: Syllabification

Consonants.--In verse the same rules hold as in prose for the distribution of consonants in syllables.

Vowels.--If there were but one vowel in a syllable, Spanish syllabification would be easy; but sometimes two or more vowels are found either between consonants, or at the beginning or at the end of a word. When such is the case, intricacies arise, for sometimes the contiguous vowels are pronounced in a single syllable and sometimes they are divided into separate syllables.

The contiguous vowels may belong to a single word (see A); or they may be the final vowel or vowels of one word and the initial vowel or vowels of a following word or words (see B).

A. _Diphthongization_,--If two contiguous vowels of a single word are pronounced in but one syllable they form a diphthong, e.g. _hu^esped_.

B. _Synalepha_.--If two or more contiguous vowels belonging to two or more words are pronounced in a single syllable, they form synalepha.

Ex. _Yo sé^un himno gigante y^extraño_, p. 164, I, l. 1.

Since Spanish verse depends upon a determined number of syllables per line, _diphthongization_ and _synalepha_ are important factors in versification.

A. DIPHTHONGIZATION

Mute _h_ between vowels is disregarded and does not prevent diphthongization, e.g. _a^h^ora_, _re^h^usar_.

The separation of two vowels that are usually united in one syllable is called _diaeresis_, e.g. _vi|oleta_.

The union in one syllable of two vowels that are usually in separate syllables is called _synaeresis_, e.g. _ca^os_.

1. THE TWENTY-FIVE POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS OP VOWELS IN DIPHTHONGS

The vowels may be divided into strong vowels (a, e, o) and weak vowels (i, u). For purposes of versification y as a vowel may be treated as i. The five vowels (a, e, o, i, u) taken in pairs may form diphthongs in twenty-five possible combinations, as follows:

a. Pairs of two weak vowels: ui, iu, ii, uu.

b. Pairs of two strong vowels:

{ ae, ao, aa,
{ ea, eo, ee,
{ oa, oe, oo.

c. Pairs of a strong vowel plus a weak vowel

{ ai, au,
{ ei, eu,
{ oi, ou.

d. Pairs of a weak vowel plus a strong vowel

{ ua, ue, uo,
{ ia, ie, io.

NOTE: In diphthongs a dominates o and e; and o dominates e. Any strong vowel dominates a weak one.

Ex. In Bo^abdíl, if a were not dominant, the diphthong would be
dissolved.

2. DIPHTHONGS AND WORD ACCENTUATION

There are with regard to accent three possible conditions under which two contiguous vowels may occur within a word.

a. The contiguous vowels may precede the accented syllable.

b. One of the contiguous vowels may be accented.

c. The contiguous vowels may come after the accented syllable.

a. Two contiguous vowels before the accent.

(1) Of the twenty-five possible combinations all are admissible in diphthongs in a syllable preceding the accented syllable.

Ex. _Habrá po^esta_, p. 165, IV, l. 4.

(a) Diaeresis may be employed to dissolve the diphthong.

Ex. _Sobre una vi|oleta_, p. 169, XIII, l. 8.

b. One of two contiguous vowels accented.

(1) _When two contiguous vowel's are strong._

(a) There is no diphthong if one of two contiguous strong vowels receives the accent.

Ex. _Chispë|ando el sol hiere_, p. 173, XXVI I, l. 17.

Ex. _Tú, sombra a|érea que, cuantas veces_, p. 170, XV, l. 7.

By synaeresis, however, a diphthong may be formed, especially in the combinations á^o, á^e, ó^e--_c^a^o^s, c^a^e, ro^e_. But in order to diphthongize oa, ea, and eo, when the accent naturally falls on the first vowel, the accent must shift to the second, which is a dominant vowel. Such diphthongization is harsh. For example, _loa_ would shift the accent from o to a in order to form a diphthong. The accent would also shift in _cre^a, fe^o_.

(2) _When one of the contiguous vowels is weak and the other strong._

(a) There is no diphthong if an accented weak vowel precedes a strong.

Ex. _Yo, que á tus ojos en mi agoní|a_, p. 171, XV, l. 18.
Synaeresis is, however, sometimes employed to overcome this rule.
The accent must then shift.

Ex. _Habi^a llegado una nave._ Calderón.

(b) There is no diphthong if an accented weak vowel follows a strong.

Ex. _¿Cómo puede re|ir?_ p. 182, XLIX, l. 4.

Synaeresis serves sometimes to overcome this rule. The result is usually harsh.

Ex. _En re^ir á costa ajena, les prepara._

(c) If an accented strong vowel precedes a weak, they form a diphthong. The diphthong is rarely dissolved, and is usually marked with a diaresis, if dissolution takes place.

Ex. _Beso del aura, onda de luz_, p. 170, XV, l. 5.

(d) If an accented strong vowel follows a weak they may or may not form a diphthong.

Ex. _Por una sonrisa, un ci^elo_, p. 172, XXIII, l. 2. [Diphthong.]

Ex. _Domando el rebelde, mezquino idï|oma_, p. 164, I, l. 6. [No
diphthong.]

Diaeresis or synaeresis may usually be employed according to the case.

Thus, _fiel_ becomes by diaeresis _fi|el_, and _br|ioso_ becomes by synaeresis _bri^oso_.

It should be remembered that in some words the accentuation is variable, while in others it is fixed.

There are two classes of words that have a variable accentuation: first, those in which an unaccented weak vowel is followed by an accented strong vowel, e.g. _majestu^oso_, _majestu|oso_; second, those in which an accented strong vowel is followed by an unaccented strong vowel, e.g. _tra|e, tra^e._

Ex. _Cre^es que la afe|an_. Becquer.
_Cre|es que suspirando pasa el viento_, p. 171, XVI, l. 3.

Etymological conditions often determine whether or not a diphthong is formed.

ie and ue, derived from the Latin e and o respectively, form indissoluble diphthongs.

The ending -ión for substantives is usually a diphthong and rarely suffers dissolution.

Synaeresis may be employed to unite in a single syllable two contiguous vowels (unaccented weak + accented strong) that are separated on account of etymology, or, in the case of derivatives, analogy with the original word; but diaeresis is employed very rarely to dissolve a proper diphthongal combination (unaccented weak + accented strong).

For example, _di|ario_ by analogy with _día_, and _fi|ó_ from the Latin _fidavit_, have ordinarily the _i_ in separate syllables, but a diphthong may be formed by synaeresis.

(3) _When the two contiguous vowels are weak_.

(a) Two contiguous weak vowels with the accent on the first form an indissoluble diphthong, e.g. _mu^y_.

(b) Two contiguous weak vowels with the accent on the second may or may not form a diphthong.

Ex. _Si antes no juras que por ru^in falsía_. Hermosilla.
[Diphthong.]

Ex. _Con sus mil rü|idos_, p. 188, LXXIII, l. 19, [No diphthong.]

c. Two contiguous vowels after the accented syllable.

(1) Two contiguous strong vowels after the accented syllable naturally form a diphthong.

Ex. _Tú, sombra aére^a que, cuantas veces_, p. 170, XV, l. 7.

Diaeresis may be employed to dissolve the diphthong.

(2) If a strong vowel is followed by a weak vowel after the accented syllable, they form a diphthong, e.g. _hablaba^is, amara^is_.

This diphthong is easily dissolved.

(3) If a weak vowel is followed by a strong vowel after the accented syllable, they form a diphthong, e.g. _histor^i^a, ans^i^a_.

Ex. _De la brisa nocturna al tenu^e soplo_, p. 192, LXXV, l. 6.

The diphthong may, however, be dissolved, e.g. _estatu|a, tenu|e, nadi|e_.

3. TRIPHTHONGS AND COMBINATIONS OP THREE OR MORE CONTIGUOUS VOWELS

If three vowels belonging to the same word are contiguous, one of them must be accented. There are then three possible arrangements.

(i) Three contiguous vowels of a word with the accent on the first, e.g. _tráeos_.

(ii) Three contiguous vowels of a word with the accent on the second, e.g. creia, _buey_.

(iii) Three contiguous vowels with the accent on the third, e.g. _rehuí_.

Each of the above arrangements has two combinations of accented and unaccented vowels to which the rules for diphthongs may be applied. In (i) there will be a combination of two vowels with the first accented, plus a combination of two vowels after the accent. In _tráeos_, for example, the a and e would probably be in separate syllables by b (1) (a), and eo would probably form a diphthong by c (1). _Tráeos_ would, then, probably be a dissyllable.

In (ii) there will be a combination of two vowels with the accent an the second, and one of two vowels with the accent on the first. In creia, for example, the e and í would be in separate syllables by b (2) (b), and the í and a would probably be in separate syllables also by b (2)(a). Therefore, _creia_ would probably be a trisyllable. In _cambiáos_ the i and á might form one syllable or two by b (2) (_d_), and the á and o would probably be in separate syllables by b (1) (a). Therefore, in _cambiáos_ the combination iáo might form a dissyllable or a trisyllable.

In (iii) there will be a combination of two vowels before the accent, and one of two vowels with the second accented. In _rehuí_, for example, the e and u might be in the same syllable by a (1), or in separate syllables by dieresis by a (1) (a), and the u and í might be in separate syllables or not by b (3) (b). Therefore, _rehuí_ might be a monosyllable, a dissyllable, or a trisyllable.

Other combinations of three vowels may be analyzed in a similar way, as may also combinations of more than three vowels, e.g. _creíais_, etc.

B. SYNALEPHA

Between the contiguous vowels of separate words there may occur synalepha (which corresponds to diphthongization within a word), or hiatus (which is similar to diaeresis within a word).

Ex. _Abre^una^eternidad_, p. 178, XXXVI I, l. 22. _¿Á qué me lo
decís? lo sé^:^es mudable_, p. 179, XXXIX, l. 1. [Synalepha.]

Ex. _Como la onda^azul, en cuya cresta_, p. 173, XXVII, l. 16.
[Hiatus.]

The vowels contracted by synalepha are each pronounced, except when the same vowel is repeated, when only a prolonged sound is heard, as in _onda^azul_ or _sé^es_ above.

Synalepha may join into a single syllable two, three, four, and even five vowels. The union of two vowels (diphthongal synalepha) and the union of three vowels (triphthongal synalepha) are the most common.

A pause due to a break in sense does not prevent synalepha. Mute h is disregarded in the verse and does not prevent synalepha.

Ex. _Capaz de encerrarlo, y apénas ¡oh^hermosa!_ p. 164, I, l. 10.

DIPHTHONGAL SYNALEPHA

Synalepha takes place between two contiguous unaccented vowels belonging to separate words.

Ex. _Abre^una^eternidad_, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 22.

Synalepha occurs when the final vowel of the first word is accented.

Ex. _Te ví^un punto, y, flotando ante mis ojos_, p. 169, XIV, l. 1.

Synalepha usually occurs when the initial vowel of the second word is accented, especially when the first word ends in a weak vowel, and also in the combinations aá, oá, oa, eá, eó, eé.

Ex. _Me parece^en el cielo de la tarde_, p. 169, XIII, l. 11.

NOTE: Synalepha is possible with the other combinations, but hiatus is preferable even with the above combinations, in a syllable on which the rhythmical accent falls (see under Rhythmic Accent).

Ex. _Despierta, hablas, y al hablar, vibrantes_, p. 174, XXVII, l.
23.

Ex. _Como la ola que á la playa_ viene, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 19.

TRIPHTHONGAL SYNALEPHA

There is always triphthongal synalepha when a is the middle vowel; or when o or e is the middle vowel, except in the following combinations, aoa, aoo, ooo, aea, aeo, oea, oeo.

Ex. _Silenciosa á expirar_, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 20.

There is never triphthongal synalepha when an accented weak vowel stands between two strong vowels. Therefore the conjunctions y and ú prevent triphthongal synalepha.

Ex. _Y de purpura y oro la matiza_, p. 168, IX, l. 4.

There may be triphthongal synalepha when í (y) is the middle vowel, if u precedes it, or i follows it.

Ex. _Fuí diestro, fuí valiente, fuí arrogante_. Cervantes.

When u is the middle vowel there may be synalepha if i follows it. The construction is very rare.

There is no synalepha with a word beginning with hue.

Ex. _Mucho nuestro huesped tarda_. Tirso de Molina.

In the following cases the groups of vowels which would usually make triphthongal synalepha are pronounced in two syllables:

(1) When the first word of the group ends in two vowels which do not form a diphthong.

Ex. _Que aún tení|a^abiertos_, p. 187, LXXIII, l. 2.

(2) When the two initial vowels of the second word do not form a diphthong.

Ex. _Tú, sombra^a|érea que, cuantas veces_, p. 170, XV, l. 7.

(3) When the first word ends in a diphthong and the second begins with a vowel in a constituent syllable (i.e. a syllable on which the rhythmical accent falls).

Ex. _Tan gran designio honra tus audacias._

If the accented vowel is not in a constituent syllable synalepha may occur.

Ex. _Mientras la cencia á descubrir no alcance_, p. 165, IV, l. 13.

(4) When the first word ends in a single vowel, and the second word begins with a diphthong in a constituent syllable.

Ex. _Tú, proceloso austro que derribas_.

(3) and (4) might well be considered as cases of hiatus.

SYNALEPHA BETWEEN FOUR OR MORE VOWELS

This is less common, yet it exists.

Ex. _No^h^a^y^amor donde no hay celos_. Lope de Vega.

HIATUS

Hiatus is most frequently found between words having a close syntactical relation, particularly if the initial vowel of the second word is in a constituent syllable. It may occur between the article and its substantive, the possessive adjective and its substantive, a preposition and its object, the negatives _no_ and _ni_ and a following vowel; and after the conjunctions _y, que, si_, and other words having a weak accent such as _desde, coma, todo, otro, cuando_, etc.

Hiatus is most likely to occur when the accented vowel is the initial vowel of the final word in a phrase or verse, or of a word that has a strongly accented position in the verse; as, for example, when the syllable is the next to the last syllable in a verse, or is the fourth or eighth syllable of a hendecasyllabic verse of the second class.

Ex. _Rumor de besos y batir de alas_, p. 168, X, l. 6.

Ex. _Como la ola que á la playa viene_, p. 178, XXXVII, l. 19.

In the above-mentioned case, the phrase _de^oro_ is usually joined by synalepha.

Ex. _Mi frente es pálida, mis trenzas de^oro._ Becquer.

Hiatus is, however, sometimes observed in this phrase.

Ex. _De plumas y de oro_, p. 180, XL, l. 28.

When both vowels are accented hiatus is more common than synalepha, even though there is no close syntactical relation, although the vowels may be joined by synalepha if they do not come in a constituent syllable.

Ex. _¡Oh yá isla católica patente!_ Herrera. [Hiatus.]

Ex. _¿Sabes tú^á dónde va?_ p. 178, XXXVIII, l. 4. [Synalepha.]