Phonemics Practice ANSWERS Sayers, LIN 3201

The four nasal phones are [m], [m8], [n] and [n8].

When analyzing the data, we find the following distributions:

[m] [m8] [n] [n8]

#___u a___# #___e a___#
e___je r___# o___d o___#
#___d

Based on this distribution, it appears that [m] and [m8] belong to the same
phoneme /m/, and [n] and [n8] belong to the same phoneme /n/. Both sets of
sounds are found in complementary distribution with one another.

The distribution is: /m/ /n/

[m8] ____# [n8] ____#
[m] elsewhere [n] elsewhere

This pattern of allophonic distribution illustrates an example of the assimilation,

of voicing state to ending of phonation with word boundary.

Furthermore, the evidence of the [l8] helps support this evidence by nature of
structural symmetry – here, a voiced sound is realized as voiceless word finally,
as well.

Kongo
For this next problem, coronal obstruents = sounds in the center of the mouth
(alveolar, alveopalatal) that obstruct air (stops, fricatives, affricates).

Consider the voiceless alveolar stop, the voiced and voiceless alveolar fricatives,
the voiceless alveopalatal affricate and the voiceless alveopalatal fricatives.

The suspicious phones in question are the phones [t], [s], [z], [S], [Z] and [tS].
When listing the environments, we find the following distribution:

[t] [s] [z] [S] [Z] [tS]

#__o e__o #__e o__i #__i #__i
e__u a__u n__w a__i
#__a n__e e__u

There appears to be a general distinction of the alveopalatal sounds occurring

before [i] and the alveolar sounds occurring elsewhere.

Examining the data further, we find that [t] and [z] occur in analogous
environments, while [Z] and [tS] also occur in analogous environments. (see blue)

[t] [s] [z] [S] [Z] [tS]

#__o e__o #__e o__i #__i #__i
e__u a__u n__w a__i
#__a n__e e__u

This evidence suggests that [t] and [z], as well as [Z] and [tS], should belong to
different phonemes.

So here’s what we have to help us decide which phones are allophones of the
same phoneme, or how to group these phones together.
· [t] and [z], as well as [Z] and [tS], must belong to different
phonemes. This suggests that place of articulation is phonemic.
 · We have a three‑way contrast with alveolars and a three‑way
contrast with alveopalatals. This suggests structural symmetry.
· The alveopalatal phones are all palatalized versions of the alveolar
phones.
· Grouping the aveolpalatal sounds as allophones of alveolar
phonemes before [i] illustrates strong structural symmetry and
displays a general phonological process, palatalization
(assimilation).

Given this analysis, the distribution is:

There are three phonemes in the data:

/t/ /s/ /z/
[tS] ___i [S] ___i [Z] ___i
[t] elsewhere [s] elsewhere [z] elsewhere

The aforementioned sets of allophones are found in complementary distribution

and thus belong to the same phoneme.

The phonological process of assimilation ‑ specifically, palatalization ‑ is

motivation for the allophonic variation. The alveolars are realized as palatalized
before the vowel [i].

French
Which vowels belong to different phonemes? How many vowel phonemes do
you have? What phonetic characteristics are used distinctively in the French
vowel system?
In the data above, we find multiple sets of minimal pairs ‑ the minimal
quadruplet of 1‑2‑3‑4; then the minimal pair of 5‑6; lastly, the minimal pair 7‑8.

This shows first that [o], [u], [y] and [O] belong to different phonemes.
(i.e. height appears to be contrastive; backness appears contrastive)
Then, it shows that [i] and [y] belong to different phonemes.
(i.e. rounding in contrastive)
Lastly, it shows that [e] and [O] belong to different phonemes.
(i.e. rounding in contrastive)

All three vowel parameters are contrastive.

This shows that we have 6 allophones of 6 vowel phonemes, as phones found in

minimal pairs belong to separate phonemes.

Distribution:
/o/ /i/ /e/ /u/ /O/ /y/
[o] [i] [e] [u] [O] [y]

Phonetic characteristics used as distinctive:

· rounding ([e] vs [O]; [i] vs [y])
· height ([i] vs [e]; [u] vs. [o])
· backness ([i] and [y] vs. [u]; [e] and [O] vs. [o]

Structural Symmetry:
/i/ /y/ /u/
/e/ /O/ /o/

Both front phonemes contrast in rounding; same corresponding height as back

phonemes.
The distribution of the two sounds is:

[l] [r]
o__a e__y
#__w(a) i__i
u__i e__i
o__u e__a
#__y i__o
#__u i__a
u__a
o__e
a__i
o__u
m__#

At first, this distribution may look difficult. There may not seem to be clear
complementary distribution, but there are also no minimal pairs, no free
variation and no analogous environments. We need to examine the data further.

Looking further, we find that the sounds that condition these allophones do NOT
appear to be the sounds that follow each phone, as both phones are followed by
[i], [y] and [a]. The sounds that do appear distinct are the phones before [l] and
[r].

Looking at those phones, we find:

[l] [r]
#__ e, i____
o, u, a___
m__
This type of distribution is fairly common. In many languages, [e] and [i] are
palatalizing vowels.

Our distribution is thus that [l] and [r] belong to the same phoneme as they are
found in complementary distribution.

/l/
[r] following front vowels
[l] elsewhere

*Note: Some of you may have written that [r] follows [e] and [i]; this is also acceptable.
Please note that [a] is much more of a central vowel than a front one, so although it is
considered front on the IPA, it often does not fall into the same types of conditioning s [i]
and [e] and is usually more central when used in actual languages. You will see that if
you produce [i] then [e] then [a], that the first two are produced with the same degree of
frontness, while your tongue slides back for [a].

Accounting for loanwords:

These words fall directly into our predicted phonemic pattern.

[leerwe]
· First /l/ – word initial, would be realized as [l]
· Medial /l/ ‑ between [e] and [w(e)] – following front vowel, realized
as [r]

[luula]
· First /l/ – word initial, would be realized as [l]
· Medial /l/ ‑ between [u] and [a] – following back vowel, realized as
[l]