Traditionally it has been difficult to provide a precise definition of what constitutes a syllable, although speakers seem to be able to determine the syllabic structure of a word. From an auditory point of view, syllables have peaks of sonorance (which are also difficult to define). Every vowel constitutes a syllable.
Laterals and nasals can be syllabic that is, they may constitute sperate syllables, as in the words medal [medl], muttton [mʌtmn], or rhythm [riðm]. The diacritic [.] under the sound indicates that it is syllabic.
