Consider the distribution of [r] and [l] in Korean in the following
words:
| rupi | "ruby" | mul | "water" |
| kιri | "road" | pal | "big" |
| saram | "person" | səυl | "Seoul" |
| ratio | "radio" | ilkop | "seven" |
| ipalsa | "barber" |
Are [r] and [l] separate phonemes or allophones of the same phoneme?
If you conclude that they are allophones of the one phoneme, state the
rule that explains their distribution.
Here are some Japanese words in phonetic transcription. Based on these
data, are [t], [tʃ], and [ts] in complementary distribution? Which are
allophones and which are phonemes? (NOTE: Treat [tʃ] and [ts] as if they
were a single sound - which they are as palatal and alveolar affricates,
respectively.)
| tatami | "mat" | tomodatʃi | "friend" | utʃi | "house" |
| tegami | "letter" | totemo | "very" | otoko | "male" |
| tʃitʃi | "father" | tsukue | "desk" | tetsudau | "help" |
| ʃita | "under" | ato | "later" | matsu | "wait" |
| natsu | "summer" | tsutsumu | "wrap" | tʃizu | "map" |
| kata | "person" | tatemono | "building" | te | "hand" |
Consider these phonetic forms of Hebrew words. Are [b] and [v] allophones of
one phoneme? Can you formulate a rule to explain their distribution? Does the
same rule, or lack of a rule, apply to [p] and [f]? If not, why not? (NOTE: [x] represents a pharyngeal
fricative.)
| bika | "lamented" | litef | "stroked" |
| mugbal | "limited" | sefer | "book" |
| ʃavar | "broke" (masc.) | sataf | "washed" |
| ʃavra | "broke" (fem.) | para | "cow" |
| bara | "created" | mitpaxat | "handkerchief" |
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