Linguistics 3201 - Chapter 3 Definitions (Phonological Alternations)

Non-Contrastive Features

Features that have a predictable occurence in any context. This types of features are normally found within complementary distribution.

Contrastive Features

Features that are not always predictable in any context. This type of features are normally found within contrastive distribution.

Morpheme

The smallest unit of language that carries information about meaning or function.

Allomorph

A morpheme that has different pronunciations in different contexts.

Allomorphy

A process that refers to the variation in the surface representation of a given morpheme.

What are the four types of phonological alternations?

- Alternations involving non-contrastive features

- Alternations involving contrastive features

- Phonologically conditioned alternations

- Lexically conditioned alternations

If the choice of alternate is determined solely by the phonetic context, then the alternation is___?

Phonetically conditioned.

If the rule that creates the alternation is not a phonological rule, then the alternation is___?

Morphologically/Lexically conditioned.