10 Questions
Which of the following is true about minimal pairs?
They vary by only a single sound
What is the purpose of using minimal pairs?
To identify separate phonemes
Which of the following is true about [ph] and [b]?
They represent different sounds in English
What happens when [ph] is changed to [b]?
It triggers a change in meaning
Which of the following is true about [p] and [ph]?
They are allophones of the same phoneme
What happens when an aspirated [p] is substituted for an unaspirated [p]?
It remains the same
How do we determine whether two sounds are allophones of the same phoneme or separate phonemes?
By looking for minimal pairs
Which of the following is true about the pairs [but] - [sut] and [splæt] - [splæʃ]?
They are minimal pairs
Which of the following is true about the pairs [blæst] - [pæst] and [mʌg] - [gʌm]?
They represent different sounds in English
What is the significance of minimal pairs?
They indicate different meanings
Study Notes
Minimal Pairs
- Minimal pairs are used to identify the distinctiveness of phonemes in a language.
- The purpose of using minimal pairs is to determine whether two sounds are allophones of the same phoneme or separate phonemes.
Phonemes [ph] and [b]
- [ph] and [b] are distinct phonemes, as replacing [ph] with [b] changes the meaning of a word.
Phonemes [p] and [ph]
- [p] and [ph] are distinct phonemes, as they have different aspiration features.
Phoneme Distinctiveness
- When an aspirated [p] is substituted for an unaspirated [p], the meaning of a word changes, indicating that they are distinct phonemes.
- The distinction between two sounds can be determined by identifying whether substituting one sound for another changes the meaning of a word.
Examples of Minimal Pairs
- The pairs [but] - [sut] and [splæt] - [splæʃ] are examples of minimal pairs, where the substitution of one sound for another changes the meaning of a word.
- The pairs [blæst] - [pæst] and [mʌg] - [gʌm] are examples of minimal pairs, where the substitution of one sound for another changes the meaning of a word.
Significance of Minimal Pairs
- The significance of minimal pairs lies in their ability to identify the distinctiveness of phonemes in a language, which is essential for understanding the sound system of a language.
Test your knowledge of minimal pairs in English with this quiz. Learn how to determine whether two sounds are allophones of the same phoneme or separate phonemes by looking for minimal pairs. Challenge yourself with 13 examples and be careful not to confuse similar words.
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