Phonology Concepts: Complementary, Overlapping, and Contrastive Distribution

What is Complementary Distribution?

Two sounds never show up in the same environment; each appears in its own specific context.

What is Overlapping Distribution?

Two sounds can appear in the same environment, and swapping them can change meaning.

What is Free Variation?

Two sounds appear in the same environment, but swapping them doesn't change meaning.

What are Contrastive Phonemes?

Sounds that change meaning when swapped; they are separate phonemes.

What are Allophones?

Different pronunciations of the same phoneme that do not change meaning.

What is Underlying Representation (UR)?

The abstract, 'stored' version of a sound/word in your mental dictionary.

What is Surface Representation (SR)?

The actual pronunciation of a sound/word after phonological rules are applied.

What indicates that two sounds are separate phonemes?

They are in overlapping distribution and signal semantic contrast.

What indicates that two sounds are allophones of one phoneme?

They are in complementary distribution or overlapping distribution without yielding a difference in meaning.

What is a Minimal Pair?

Two words that differ by only one sound and have different meanings.

What is the phonemic principle?

Two sounds are separate phonemes if they are in overlapping distribution and signal semantic contrast.

What is the definition of Contrastive Distribution?

Overlapping distribution plus contrast in meaning.

What is the definition of Free Variation?

Overlapping distribution with no contrast in meaning.

What is an example of Complementary Distribution?

[ph] appears at the start of a syllable, while [p] appears after /s/.

What is an example of Overlapping Distribution?

'pat' and 'bat' can both appear word-initially before the same vowel.

What is the relationship between UR and SR?

UR is the abstract form before rules apply; SR is the actual spoken form after rules.

What happens to the word 'cats' in UR and SR?

UR: /kæt+z/, SR: [kæts] due to phonological rules.

What does it mean if two sounds are in Free Variation?

They can be used interchangeably without changing the meaning.

What is the significance of aspirated [ph] and unaspirated [p]?

They are allophones of the same phoneme /p/.

What is the difference between phonemic and allophonic sounds?

Phonemic sounds change meaning; allophonic sounds do not.

What is the definition of Phonemic Contrast?

Two sounds are contrastive if swapping one for the other changes the meaning.

What is an example of Free Variation in pronunciation?

Some people say 'either' as [i:0] or [arða], same meaning, different pronunciation.

What does 'complementary distribution' imply about sounds?

They cannot occur in the same environment.

What does 'overlapping distribution' imply about sounds?

They can occur in the same environment.

What is the role of phonological rules in speech?

They transform UR into SR.