Monogesture Syllables
Every SingLet syllable is designed so that its pronunciation can be realized through one smooth jaw-tongue-lip movement, without interruption or secondary articulator re-targeting. All SingLets™ are Monogesture words.
Foundation
Monogesture and the design principles behind SingLet’s one-motion syllable system.
Monogesture Defined
Not all alphabetic letters and monosyllabic words can be pronounced through one smooth, uninterrupted articulatory jaw-tongue-lip movement. For example, words such as “F” and “exist” cannot.
Some letters and words are not only monosyllabic but also pronounceable through one smooth, uninterrupted articulatory jaw-tongue-lip movement, the author defines such letters and words as well as such smooth and uninterrupted articulation here as Monogesture. Words such as “A,” “Bye,” “Don,” and “song” can be articulated monogesturally.
Monogesture forms are single letters or monosyllables whose core pronunciation is a vowel nucleus, while both a consonant onset and a permissive coda are optional. In syllable terms, SingLets™ therefore take the structures V, VN, CV, or CVN.
Design Principles
The Natures
Natural notes keep familiar letter names, except F becomes Fi for smoother singing.
The Onset Logic
Each pitch class keeps a stable starting sound. Rhymes then mark accidental direction and tier.
The Rhyme Progression
Vowel changes distinguish sharps, flats, and higher tiers in a consistent progression. From the natural to the single sharp/flat, and then the double sharp/flats, mouth opens wider, tongue moves more backward, and the rhyme vowel becomes darker. Triple SingLet™ adds a nasal /n/ to the single SingLet™, quadruple SingLet™ adds a nasal /ŋ/ to the double SingLet™, and quintuple SingLet™ adds a lateral /l/ coda.
Cross-Language Utility
The syllables are designed to remain clear and singable across accents and languages. It doesn't require precise American (or British, Canadian, Australian, Singaporean...) English pronunciations. For example,
- The vowel rhyme for all sharp notes is /ɑ/ (as in "sharp /ʃɑɹp/"), but /a/, /ʌ/, /ɑ/, /ɐ/ are all permitted by design.
- The vowel rhyme for all flat notes is /ɛ/ as in "meh", because vowel /æ/ as in "flat" almost never occurs at the end of a word or syllable in standard English. Meanwhile, /ɛ/, /æ/, /aɪ/, and /ə/ are all permitted by design.