1. Assignment 2
Write a 3 stanza poem (each stanza consisting four lines) based on a theme. In the poem, indicate words with minimal pairs. Ensure you have two sets of minimal pairs which indicate contrast in initial, medial and final positions (Total: 6 minimal pairs). Explain the meaning of the words in relation to the poem.
What is a minimal pair?
A minimal pair is a pair of words with one phonemic difference only, that is, vary by only a single sound (vowel or consonant).
In order to decide whether a pair of words is a minimal pair or not, you need to know what sounds make up the word, and you need to IGNORE the spelling of the word.

2. Examples of minimal pairs
Initial Position Final Position
Cold – Gold Catch - Cat
Fan – Van Thin - Thing
Buy – Pie Back - Bag
Two – Do Hat - Had
Medial Position
Ship – Sheep
Fast - First
Bat – But
Not – Note

3. Practice Are these minimal pairs? 1) Base – phase 2) Wise – rice
3) Maid – made
4) Kite – night
5) Take – steak

4. Semantics Semantics = meaning of the language
Dove (bird) – dove (past tense of dive)
Jack swims.
The lady hit the old man with the umbrella.
Time is money (Metaphors)
Kick the bucket (Idiom)
How high is the mountain?

5. Pragmatics
Pragmatics is concerned with our understanding of language in context
Maxims of Conversation (proposed by Grice). 4 types
Maxim of Quantity – say neither more nor less than the discourse requires
Where are you going? I am going to the post office. (Yes)
Are you going to work today? Yes, I am on jury duty, but I will have to go to
the dentist in the evening. I have to ask the manager for permission. (X)

6. Pragmatics
2) Maxim of Quality : Do not lie; do not make unsupported claims A:Why did you come last last night? B: The car broke down (Plain truth) A : Did you study all day long? B : Yes, I have been studying (Lie to avoid problem) 3) Maxim of Relevance : Be relevant A : Where did you leave the car keys? B : The car is on the porch. (not relevant) A : Where is my box of chocolates? B : I don’t know mine either.

7. Pragmatics
4) Maxim of manner : Be brief and orderly A: Where is the Dean’s office? B :Latitude 39 degrees, 7 mins, 48 secons, longitude 56 degrees, 37 mins 12 seconds… A: I heard you went to the opera last night. How was the lead singer? B : The singer produced a series of sounds corresponding closely to the score of an aria from ‘Rigoletto’