Phonology 2: Natural Classes and Phonological Rules
Phonology 2: Natural Classes and Phonological Rules
Phonology 2: Natural Classes and Phonological Rules
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Distinguishing Allophones
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Data
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Minimal pairs
pat [ p!æt ] bat [ bæt ]
pill [ p!"l ] bill [ b"l ]
cab [ k!æb ] gab [ #æb ]
kill [ k!"l ] gill [ #"l ]
cap [ k!æp ] gap [ #æp ]
Therefore, / p /, / b / and / k /, / g / are phonemes.
Distinguishing Allophones
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p and p!
Pat [ p!æt ] pill [ p!"l ]
spat [ spæt ] spill [ sp"l ] pack [ p!æk ]
cap [ k!æp ]
gap [ # æ p ]
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Environment
Pat [ p!æt ] pill [ p!"l ]
spat [ spæt ] spill [ sp"l ] pack [ p!æk ]
cap [ k!æp ]
gap [ # æ p ]
[k] and [p] occur initially medially finally
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Generalizations
• /p/ has (at least) two allphones: [p] [p!]. [p!]
occurs at the beginning of a word and [p]
occurs elsewhere.
• /t/ has (at least) two allphones: [t] [t!]. [t!]
occurs at the beginning of a word and …
• /k/ has (at least) two allphones: [k] [k!]. [k!]
occurs at the beginning of a word and …
Phonological rules
• Phonological rules
• Phonological processes
– apply when some conditions are satisfied
(usually specified in terms of environment)
– phonetically natural processes in most
cases (often sensitive to natural classes)
Formalization
• Formula:
• X can be rewritten Y in the environment
of this position (____), i.e. after A,
before B.
• X ( Y / A ____ B
Common processes
• Assimilation: changing a feature of a
phoneme when it is near another one so
that the two share a feature.
• Dissimilation: changing a feature of a
phoneme when it is near another
identical phoneme to make it more
“distinct” from its twin.
Common processes
• Metathesis (also in children’s speech)
• Insertion
• Deletion
• Strengthening
• Aspiration
• Flapping
Distinguishing Allophones
Rule:
In the present case voiceless stops aspirate
in initial position.
Here’s how to write the rule:
A stop is aspirated at the beginning of a
word.
Formally:
+ stop ( [+ aspir] / # ___
- voiced
Nasalized Vowels in English
bee [bi] bead [bid] lay [le"] bean [bin]
%$ n]
lace [le"s] lame [le"&% "m
& ] bad [bæd] ban# [bæ(
' ]
Vowels are nasalized before a nasal
consonant.