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Sonic pause

Sound
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A rhetorical and acoustic pause used in verse delivery or structure

Detailed Definition
Sonic pause denotes a deliberate moment of silence or reduced sound within a poem that functions not merely as a grammatical break but as an expressive auditory device, shaping rhythm, pacing, and emotional emphasis; unlike traditional caesuras governed by syntax, sonic pauses are calibrated for their acoustic impact, allowing readers or listeners to experience tension, anticipation, or reflection through the strategic withholding of sound.
Example
Example in poetry:
A caesura creating sonic pause: "To be, || or not to be"; "And miles to go || before I sleep"; "Stop all the clocks, || cut off the telephone"; Mid-line silence enhancing rhythm
Additional Notes
A Sonic pause is a silence or break in the acoustic flow of a poem, often marked by punctuation like a dash (—), or a long caesura or line break; unlike a simple rest, it is intended to have a palpable acoustic presence, drawing attention to the ensuing sound.
Also Known As
Pause of sound sonic break sound rest Acoustic punctuation
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