Phonology: Distinctive Features 1.2
This exercise is designed to help you become more familiar with distinctive features in terms of binary distribution (+ or -). For the following questions, you will be selecting the set of phonemes that all share one feature. For more information on major, place, and manner classes, click here to access the tutorial “Features and Classes.”
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Question 1 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+sonorant].
A | [w, l, n]
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B | [n, j, z] Hint: Only [w, l, n] are each [+sonorant]. [z] is a fricative thus [-sonorant]. [w, l, n] are each [+sonorant].
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C | [v, m, x] Hint: Only [w, l, n] are each [+sonorant]. [v, x] are fricatives thus [-sonorant]. [w, l, n] are each [+sonorant].
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Question 2 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+delayed released].
A | [t∫, dʒ, c] Hint: Only [f, dʒ, h] are each [+delayed released], i.e., fricative release. [c] is a stop/plosive thus is released with a ‘burst’ of air. |
B | [f, dʒ, h] |
C | [ð, l, ɹ] Hint: Only [f, dʒ, h] are each [+delayed released], i.e., fricative release. [l, ɹ] are [+sonorant] that are not released with frictation. |
Question 3 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+continuant].
A | [m, j, s] Hint: Only [Ѳ, x, ∫] are each [+continuant]. [m] is nasal thus does not have continual airflow through the oral cavity. |
B | [s, t∫, x] Hint: Only [Ѳ, x, ∫] are each [+continuant]. [t∫] is an affricate which is produced with an initial complete obstruction of airflow thus does not have continual airflow through the oral cavity. |
C | [Ѳ, x, ∫] |
Question 4 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+coronal].
A | [g, t, n] Hint: Only [t, n] are each [+coronal]. [g] is velar. |
B | [t, s, n] |
C | [v, z, d] Hint: Only [z, d] are each [+coronal]. [v] is labial. |
Question 4 Explanation:
anterior |
dorsal |
||||||||||
coronal |
radical |
||||||||||
labials |
post-alveolar |
||||||||||
bilabial | labiodertal | dental | alveolar | retoroflex | palato-alveclar | palatal | velar | uvular | phanyngeal | epiglottal | glottal |
+high | +high | +high | |||||||||
+back | +back | +back | |||||||||
+low | +low | [+low] |
Question 5 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+back].
A | [w, ɣ, j] Hint: Only [w, g, x] are each [+back] as each is velar. [j] is palatal thus[-back] |
B | [w, g, x] |
C | [h, k, x] Hint: Only [w, g, x] are each [+back] as each is velar. [h] is glottal thus [-back]. |
Question 5 Explanation:
anterior |
dorsal |
||||||||||
coronal |
radical |
||||||||||
labials |
post-alveolar |
||||||||||
bilabial | labiodertal | dental | alveolar | retoroflex | palato-alveclar | palatal | velar | uvular | phanyngeal | epiglottal | glottal |
+high | +high | +high | |||||||||
+back | +back | +back | |||||||||
+low | +low | [+low] |
Question 6 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+lateral].
A | [L, ɬ, ʎ] |
B | [ʎ, l, j] Hint: Only [L, ɬ, ʎ] are each [+lateral]. [j] is not produced with lateral airflow through the oral cavity thus is [-lateral]. |
C | [l, j, ɻ] Hint: Only [L, ɬ, ʎ] are each [+lateral]. [j, ɻ] are not produced with lateral airflow through the oral cavity thus are [-lateral]. |
Question 7 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+anterior].
A | [v, f, ∫] Hint: Only [Ѳ, f, p] are each [+anterior]. [∫] is post-alveolar. |
B | [v, m, k] Hint: Only [Ѳ, f, p] are each [+anterior]. [k] is velar. |
C | [Ѳ, f, p] |
Question 7 Explanation:
anterior |
dorsal |
||||||||||
coronal |
radical |
||||||||||
labials |
post-alveolar |
||||||||||
bilabial | labiodertal | dental | alveolar | retoroflex | palato-alveclar | palatal | velar | uvular | phanyngeal | epiglottal | glottal |
+high | +high | +high | |||||||||
+back | +back | +back | |||||||||
+low | +low | [+low] |
Question 8 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [-sonorant].
A | [Ѳ, j, z] Hint: Only [v, z, x] are each [-sonorant]. [j] is [+sonorant]. |
B | [v, z, x] |
C | [ð, l, ɹ] Hint: Only [v, z, x] are each [-sonorant]. [l, ɹ] are both [+sonorant]. |
Question 9 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+high].
A | [c, j, ʒ] |
B | [w, g, χ] Hint: Only [c, j, ʒ] are each [+high]. [χ] is uvular thus [-high]. |
C | [c, k, p] Hint: Only [c, j, ʒ] are each [+high]. [p] is labial thus [-high]. |
Question 9 Explanation:
anterior |
dorsal |
||||||||||
coronal |
radical |
||||||||||
labials |
post-alveolar |
||||||||||
bilabial | labiodertal | dental | alveolar | retoroflex | palato-alveclar | palatal | velar | uvular | phanyngeal | epiglottal | glottal |
+high | +high | +high | |||||||||
+back | +back | +back | |||||||||
+low | +low | [+low] |
Question 10 |
Select the phonemes below that are characterized by the feature [+strident].
A | [Ѳ, f, z] Hint: Only [v, s, t∫] are each [+strident]. [Ѳ] is not.
In Standard English the following phonemes are [+strident]. [f, v, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ]. |
B | [v, z, ð] Hint: Only [v, s, t∫] are each [+strident]. [ð] is not.
In Standard English the following phonemes are [+strident]. [f, v, s, z, ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ]. |
C | [v, s, t∫] |
Question 10 Explanation:
anterior |
dorsal |
||||||||||
coronal |
radical |
||||||||||
labials |
post-alveolar |
||||||||||
bilabial | labiodertal | dental | alveolar | retoroflex | palato-alveclar | palatal | velar | uvular | phanyngeal | epiglottal | glottal |
+high | +high | +high | |||||||||
+back | +back | +back | |||||||||
+low | +low | [+low] |
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