Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each statement by whether it belongs to PHONETICS or PHONOLOGY.
Groups: Phonetics · Phonology
- The first formant is around 300 hertz
- This language has 24 consonant phonemes
- Aspiration is predictable from syllable position here
- This sound has a burst lasting 60 milliseconds
- These two sounds never contrast in this language
- The tongue tip contacts the alveolar ridge
Hints
- One column can be measured with an instrument; the other requires knowing the language.
- Any statement containing "in this language" is phonological.
Show the answer
Phonetics: This sound has a burst lasting 60 milliseconds, The tongue tip contacts the alveolar ridge, The first formant is around 300 hertz
Phonology: These two sounds never contrast in this language, This language has 24 consonant phonemes, Aspiration is predictable from syllable position here
Why
The test is whether you would need to know the language to make the statement. A burst duration can be measured from a recording of a language you have never heard; whether that difference distinguishes words cannot.
Practise Phonetics and Phonology
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More questions on Phonetics and Phonology
- Aspiration is predictable in English and distinguishes words in Thai. What does this show about the phoneme?
- A minimal pair proves that two sounds belong to different phonemes in that language.
- Phonetics examines physical sound, whilst phonology examines linguistic systems. What follows from this…
- How many consonant phonemes are conventionally recognised in Received Pronunciation?
- Complete the vocabulary of the two disciplines.
- Which are true of a narrow phonetic transcription?
- Match each notation or term to what it does.
- General American is usually analysed with the same number of vowel phonemes as Received Pronunciation.