單音節有聲調語言的音節，可以視為含有下述結構成分，也就是下述超音段的徵性組合。其中Ｐ以｛±今元音，±開放｝等徵性決定音節為開尾，為閉尾，或為韻化輔音音節。Ｔ含有多個聲調徵性。Ｚ是幽響。Ｇ是鼻喉間器官的形勢的其他徵性，包括｛±送氣，±濁流，±鼻化，±喉化｝等。Ｒ控制Ｇ所屬諸徵性的選擇。Ｔ，Ｂ，Ｚ三者修飾屬元成素的Ｓ。如此界定的音節結構，圖示如下：

      TGZ

PR──

         S

這Ｇ的運作方式有｛±延後，±吊銷｝，用以進一步細分音節的類型，如〔pa, b'a, ban, ma(n), ma, mban, mat, bat,' ba(t), 'ba〕等。不只音節的構成，即語音的變化與語詞的引申，都可以這九個音節徵性（含元音，開放，帶音，送氣，濁流，鼻化，喉化，延後，吊銷）的正負值及聲調屬下的徵性來說明。

A syllable in a monosyllabic tone language is postulated as having the following syllable constituents, i. e. matrices of features that do not specify individual segmentals.    P is a matrix that conditions the three major types of syllables: open, closed, and syllabic consonantal, which are specified by the binary features｛±vocalic, ±open｝.  T is tone, with various binary tone features.  Z is voicing.  G is the optional configuration of the air passage behind and below the oral cavity, including｛±aspirated, ±breathy, ±nasal, ±blottal｝.  R controls the selection of G-features.  T, G, and Z modify the qualities of the segmentals S.    The syllable structure so defined is schematized as

      TGZ

PR──

         S

Sub-types of syllables like [pa, b'a, ban, ma(n), ma, mban, mat, bat,' ba(t), 'ba] are specified by mechanisms such as｛±delayed, ±suspended｝in the application of G.  Not only syllable structure but also sound change and derivation are all explainable in terms of the nine binary features, vocalic, open, voiced, aspirated, breathy, nasal, glottal, delayed and suspended, and in terms of tone features.