Which term refers to the boundary or pauses between syllables?

• A. Stress
• B. Juncture
• C. Pitch
• D. Duration

Answer: (B)

Juncture is the boundary between syllables and the pauses or transitions that mark where one syllable ends and the next begins in connected speech. It can show up as a light pause, a tiny break, or a shift in timing that helps listeners segment words smoothly. This idea is different from stress (which syllable is emphasized), pitch (the rise and fall of voice), or duration (how long a sound lasts). For example, the way we separate “I scream” from “ice cream” relies on juncture: a clear boundary helps listeners distinguish the two phrases in spoken form, even when the written forms look similar. In some contexts, juncture can even affect meaning, making it a key feature of rhythm and intelligibility in English speech.