Read each case carefully; then, based on its characteristics label it as a phonetic, phonemic or

phonetic/phonemic problem. After you have determined the kind of problem, specify whether it is a case
(phonetic relationship) of free variation, complementary distribution, sound contrast, or suprasegmentals
(accent, intonation, stress).

The Backyardigans are learning Spanish but they are having a problem pronouncing the
strong “r” in “rosa” at the beginning of words,--and “carro” in the middle of words-- because they keep on

producing their alveolar retroflex /r / instead of the alveolar trill [rr ].

Problem: ______phonetic_____________ Case: ___complementary contribution_____________

Explanation: ___In English you do not have a trill sound in any position of a word whereas in Spanish you
can find it at the beginning of words or in the middle when it is represented by a double “r”.

El Chavo del Ocho is on tour in the US. When some American fans invited him over for dinner,
he got in trouble due to his intonation: upon finishing his cheesecake, he went :”Hhmmm!!” ( ) using
falling intonation, instead of ( ) raising intonation; so, instead of showing that he had enjoyed it, he
sounded as if he was unsure about whether he had liked it or not. The Americans felt rather offended.
Problem: _____phonemic___________________ Case: __suprasegmentals_____________________
Explanation: __By not using the appropriate intonation, he changed the intention/meaning of his
interjection.
 Maradona was trying to buy some fancy stuff on his trip to Miami, and everyone was
excited to have him around; however, when he told the manager of the maritime store that he wanted

to buy a “/ʃip /”…. everybody stared at him in shock .

Problem: ______phonetic/phonemic__________________ Case: ___contrast____________________

Explanation: ___People were in shock because he changed the meaning of what he intended to say when
he used the long “I” instead of th short “I” thefore saying sheep instead of ship.

Doña Lencha usually calls her cousins in Mexico City, and they make fun of her because she

always says “Los muchachos son muy machos en mi pueblo” ,

pronouncing /muʃaʃos/ instead of /mutʃatʃos/ and /maʃos/ instead of /matʃos/.

Problem: _____phonetic___________________ Case: _____free variation__________________
Explanation: __The people from her town pronounce the spelling “ch” as / ʃ/ instead of /ʧ/ and that is why
her cousins made fun of her because they speak differently in Mexico City.