Problems in Phonemic Analysis Chapter 13 Problems in Phonemic Analysis

Areas of difficulty Problem of analysis What are the phonemes of a language? Problem of assignment How to assign a particular sound to a particular phoneme

Affricates t∫ dƷ (T-d) + (∫-Ʒ) Plosive +fricative Problems of analysis Church /t∫3: t∫/ judge /dƷΛdƷ/ Affricates t∫ dƷ (T-d) + (∫-Ʒ) Plosive +fricative

One-phoneme-analysis We consider each pair of t∫ dƷ As (a single consonant phoneme) It increases number of phonemes T - ∫ - t∫ - d - Ʒ - dƷ 1 2 3 4 5 6

Two- phoneme- analysis We consider each pair of t∫ dƷ composed of two phonemes each t + ∫ d + Ʒ It keeps number of phonemes smaller As they already exist in language

Which analysis is more economic? two- phoneme –analysis

Which analysis is chosen by phonologists? one –phoneme- analysis

Why? One-phoneme-analysis there are for augments: 1. phonetic or (allophonic) 2. phonetic distribution 3. Consonant clusters 4. Native speakers of English

1. Phonetic or allophonic There is no phonetic difference between t - ∫ or d - Ʒ in t∫ dƷ t - ∫ or d - Ʒ in other contexts eg: /∫ / in Hutch is the same in hush or welsh /hΛt∫/ /hΛ∫/ /wel∫/ Watch apes is the same as what shapes /wDt∫ eips/ /wDt ∫eips/

2. Phonetic distribution /t∫/ - /dƷ/ have phonetic distribution (they occur initially – medially – finally) /t∫3:r t∫/ /wDt∫iη / /kæt∫/

3. Consonant clusters /t∫/ - /dƷ/ form consonant clusters (combine freely with consonants) Wathed wedged buldge /wDt∫t/ /wedƷd/ /bΛldƷ/

Native speakers’ view Native speakers feel that /t∫/ - /dƷ/ are one sounds each

Say √ or × In the problem of analysis it is hard to assign sounds to phonemes √ In the two-phoneme analysis , /t∫/ is treated as A combination of two phonemes The one –phoneme analysis is more economic ×

Say √ or × In the allophonic argument it said that the quality of t - ∫ in /t∫/ is different from t - ∫ in other contexts × The phonetic distribution of /dƷ / supports the two- phoneme analysis /t∫/ - /dƷ/ combine freely to form consonant clusters √