Minimal Pairs and Phonology PDF

Using Minimal Pairs to solve Phonology Problems — Minimal pairs help us determine the distribution of allophones and phonemes in other languages. — If we find a minimal pair, we know that the sounds in question are allophones of different phonemes. — Let’s try a little phonology problem now. 17 U...

Using Minimal Pairs to solve Phonology Problems — Minimal pairs help us determine the distribution of allophones and phonemes in other languages. — If we find a minimal pair, we know that the sounds in question are allophones of different phonemes. — Let’s try a little phonology problem now. 17 Using Minimal Pairs to solve Phonology Problems Consider the following data from Akan, which is spoken in Ghana. [ka] [nsa] [pam] bite hand sew [kã] speak [nsã] liquor [pãm] confederate — Are [a] and [ã] allophones of the same phoneme or are they of different phonemes? — What is your evidence? 18 Using Minimal Pairs to solve Phonology Problems If we find a minimal pair, it means that speakers of that language do not consider the sounds in question to be “the same”. A minimal pair means that a speaker hears the two sounds as different and uses that difference to distinguish between two different words (pet and bet). Remember: if we find a minimal pair, we know that the sounds in question are allophones of different phonemes. Back to Hindi — Consider the following: [kap] [kaph] cup phlegm [phəl] [pəl] fruit moment — Are [p] and [ph] allophones of the same phoneme or of different phonemes? How do you know? — You’ve just discovered something about the unconscious linguistic knowledge of a Hindi speaker! 20