Distinctive Features in Linguistics: Phonology Quiz and Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary contribution of Roman Jakobson to distinctive feature theory?

Developing the concept of phonemes

Creating a feature system based on ternary oppositions

Proposing a limited set of universal distinctive features (correct)

Introducing the idea of speech sounds as a universal set

What is the purpose of distinctive features in phonology?

To classify speech sounds into categories

To determine the distribution of phonemes

To distinguish between speech sounds (correct)

To analyze the syntax of a language

What is the value of a feature when it is not relevant to a particular sound?

N/A

0 (correct)

What is the minimum requirement for each phoneme of a language?

At least one feature difference Signup and view all the answers

What is the arrangement of distinctive feature values for the sounds of a language?

A matrix of +, -, and 0 values Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between distinctive features and speech sounds?

Distinctive features are the basic building blocks of speech sounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of binary oppositions in distinctive feature theory?

They are the only acceptable type of oppositions Signup and view all the answers

What occurs when the rules for one phoneme's distribution are identical to the rules for another phoneme's distribution?

Patterns of patterns are formed Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of voiceless stops in English?

They are a natural class of sounds Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the assimilation of the definite article [ʔal] with the Sun-letters in Arabic?

The sound at the beginning of the word is doubled Signup and view all the answers

What is the common feature of the sounds [k], [ɡ], and [ŋ] in English?

They are all velar stops Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of natural classes in phonology?

To group sounds based on their phonetic features Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of the Moon-letters in Arabic?

They retain the definite article [ʔal] and its distinctive sound Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the phonological rule /t/ → [th] in English?

The sound /t/ is pronounced as [th] at the beginning of stressed syllables Signup and view all the answers

What is the common feature of the vowels [uː] and [ɔː] in English?

They are both rounded, tense vowels Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of phonological rules in English?

They are based on the phonetic features of sounds Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Distinctive Features

Distinctive features are the universal set of cognitive properties associated with speech sounds that define classes of sounds relevant to phonology.
They determine the contrasts between speech sounds, account for the ways in which these sounds may change or alternate, and define the sets of sounds.

Feature System

The formal development of distinctive feature theory is due primarily to Roman Jakobson.
Only binary oppositions are accepted [ +/-], and features will have two values: [+feature] and [-feature] to indicate the presence or absence of that particular feature.
Example: [b] is [+voice] and [p] is [-voice]

Feature Characteristics

Features are the most basic units of phonology, like atoms, and are phonetically grounded elements.
Segments (speech sounds) and syllables are the basic building blocks of speech sounds.

Patterns of Patterns

Sometimes, the rules for one phoneme's distribution are identical to the rules for another phoneme's distribution.
Examples: /t/→ [t] / after [s], /t/ → [th] / at the beginning of stressed syllables, and [stɑp] ‘stop’ & [thɑp] ‘top’.

Natural Classes

A natural class is a set of sounds in a language that:
- Share one or more phonetic features.
- To the exclusion of all other sounds in that language.
- Function together in phonological rules.
Example: /p/, /t/, and /k/ form a natural class of voiceless stops in English.

Natural Class Examples

In English, [k], [ɡ], and [ŋ] form the natural class of velar stops.
[uː] and [ɔː] form the natural class of rounded, tense vowels.
Exercises:
- [t], [s]
- [v], [ð], [z], [ʒ]
- [ɪ], [ɛ], [æ]

Phonological Problem: Arabic

In Arabic, consonants are divided into two groups: حروف قمریة (Moon-letters) and حروف شمسیة (Sun-letters).
The classification is based on whether or not they assimilate the definite article ال [ʔal].
When the definite article [ʔal] is assimilated into the Sun-letters, it loses its distinctive sound, and the sound at the beginning of the word is doubled.
Example: ال ّرحمن (Given Shaddah).

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Description

Learn about the universal set of distinctive features proposed by Roman Jakobson, which define classes of sounds relevant to phonology. Understand the cognitive properties associated with speech sounds and their role in language.