Features and Tones

Features and Tones

 Allophonicvariation is represented as
adjustments made in specific contexts to
the features that make up segments
The Role of Features

 Sincesegments are composed of

features, phonemic contrast can be
stated in a general way in terms of
features, each of these features is
phonetically based and is independently
controlable by the speaker.
Feature representation of a contrast

 Theonly contrast between these

segments resides in the feature[voice]. In
phonological terms, we say that voicing is
a distinctive feature of English
Feature representation of a contrast

P b

+consonaltal +consonaltal

-syllabic -syllabic

-sonorant -sonorant

+anterior +anterior

-coronal -coronal

-continuant -continuant

-voice +voice
Voiced-voiceless contrast as a feature

p [ -voice] b [ +voice]

t d

k g

s z

š ž

č ĵ
Voiced-voiceless contrast as a feature

 Pairs /p/ and /b/, /t/ and /d/. /k/ and /g/, /s/
and /z/, /š/ and /ž/ and, /č/ and /ĵ/are all
manifestation of a single distinction involving
the feature [voice]. The use of features enables
us to make the simple statement that in English
voicing is phonemic (contrastive), as shown in
the table.
 Stop-fricative contrasts as a feature

 We can also represent the phonemic contrast between

/t/ and /s/ in English with a single feature. In this case,
the relevant differences is one of continuancy. Both /t/
and /s/ are voiceless and have an alveolar point of
articulation. The fact that the tounge tip is used in the
production of one sound and the tounge blade is used
in the other is not relevant to any phonological
distinction, and can therefore be ignored.the relevant
distinctive feature is [continuant].
Stop-fricative contrasts as a feature

p [ -continuant] f [ +continuant]

b v

t s

d z