Amharic Phonetics PDF
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Uploaded by MesmerizedMoldavite7389
ANTH/LING
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Summary
This document analyzes the Amharic phonetics, focusing on the distinction between [ə] and [ɛ] vowels. It explains how these sounds are in complementary distribution and how the feature of backness/frontness does not lead to meaningful contrasts in Amharic.
Full Transcript
Amharic ■ What is the feature that distinguishes [ə] and [ɛ]? ■ Is this a distinctive feature or a non-distinctive feature for vowels in Amharic? Amharic ■ [ə] and [ɛ] are allophones of the same phoneme. [ə] f_r r_s t_n n_s g_n z_b m_n n_s l_# m_ʧ t_m m_w [ɛ] d _ d t’ _ t k_r r_# m_r r_# m_s j...
Amharic ■ What is the feature that distinguishes [ə] and [ɛ]? ■ Is this a distinctive feature or a non-distinctive feature for vowels in Amharic? Amharic ■ [ə] and [ɛ] are allophones of the same phoneme. [ə] f_r r_s t_n n_s g_n z_b m_n n_s l_# m_ʧ t_m m_w [ɛ] d _ d t’ _ t k_r r_# m_r r_# m_s j_l ʃ_# j_t Ʒ_l ʧ_# ʤ_g Ʒ_m Amharic ■ [ə] and [ɛ] are in complementary distribution. ■ /ə/ becomes [ɛ] when it follows a palatal. ■ /ə/ becomes [front] when it follows a palatal. Amharic ■ Distinction: Backness/frontness – [ə] is central and [ɛ] is front ■ Backness is a non-distinctive feature because: the two sounds are in complementary distribution; the distribution of the two sounds is predictable; the two sounds are allophones of the same phoneme; the feature is not related to a contrast in meaning.
