N. V. Tatsenko introduction to theoretical phonetics of english

quantitative peculiarities of certain allophones should indicate the beginning or the end of the syllable.
To illustrate the word distinctive function in the syllable, let’s take a minimal pair:
['nai-treit] nitrate - ['nait-reit] night-rate.
The distinction here lies in:

1. 
   the degree of aspiration of [t] sounds which is greater in the first member of the opposition than in the second;
   
2. 
   allophonic difference of [r]: in the first member of the opposition it is slightly devoiced under the influence of the initial [t];
   
3. 
   the length of the diphthong [ai]: in the second member of the opposition it is shorter because the syllable is closed by a voiceless plosive [t].
   

The third function of the syllable is the identificatory function (щентифшативна функщя): the listener can understand the exact meaning of the utterance only when the correct syllabic boundary is perceived: an aim — a name an ice house — a nice house peace talks — pea stalks
Sometimes the difference in syllabic division might be the basic ground for differentiating sentences in such minimal pairs as:
I saw her eyes — I saw her rise I saw the meat — I saw them eat.
THE LIST OF REFERENCES

1. 
   Collins Beverly, Inger M. Mees. Practical Phonetics and Phonology : A Resource Book for Students. Second Edition. New York : Routledge, 2008. 305 p.
   
2. 
   Cruttenden Alan. Gimson's Pronunciation of English. Seventh edition. Routlege, 2013. 362 p.