Ling 102/WI Introduction to the Study of Language
Module 3 Activity 9: Minimal Pairs
(Lesson 3.9)
To complete the problem below, first remember what we learned about minimal pairs
(which are two words that are identical except for one sound). You may have noticed
that most minimal pairs rhyme exactly but for one sound.
If interchanging two sounds doesn't change meaning, then:
1. These sounds are not contrastive.
2. These sounds are allophones of the same phoneme.
BUT
If interchanging two sounds does change meaning, then:
1. These sounds are contrastive.
2. These sounds are separate phonemes.
The following sets of minimal pairs show that English [p] and [b] contrast in initial,
medial, and final positions.
Sounds
Initial
Medial
Final
[p] – [b]
pit/bit [pit] [bit]
rapid/rabid [r@pid] [r@bid]
cap/cab [k@p] [k@b]
peer/beer [pi:r] [bi:r]
nipple/nibble [nip^l] [nib^l]
rope/robe [ro:p] [ro:b] (the –
e is silent)
Directions: Fill in the table below with similar sets of minimal pairs for each pair of
consonants given. An example is given for each. The different sound is highlighted in
yellow, for your convenience. You don't need to highlight your answers. (1 point each
correct answer = 15 points)
Sounds
1
[k] – [g]
Hurley S10
Initial
(first sound of the
word)
Medial
(sound in the middle of
the word)
Final
(last sound of the
word)
example:
example:
example:
kill [kil] – gill [gil]
sinker [siNke:] – singer [siNge:]
sack [s@k] – sag [s@g]
your pair:
your pair:
your pair:
Ling 102/WI Introduction to the Study of Language
2
3
4
5
[m] – [n] example:
example:
example:
map [m@p] – nap [n@p]
dimmer [dime:] – dinner [dine:]
some [s^m] – sun [s^n]
your pair:
your pair:
your pair:
example:
example:
bat [b@t] – mat [m@t]
tubby [t^bi] – tummy [t^mi]
crab [kr@b] – cram [kr@m]
your pair:
your pair:
your pair:
example:
example:
example:
pan [p@n] – fan [f@n]
puppy [p^pi] – puffy [p^fi]
lap [l@p] – laugh [l@f]
your pair:
your pair:
your pair:
example:
example:
example:
lip [lip] – rip [rip]
cold [kold] – cord [kord]
real [ril] – rear [rir]
your pair:
your pair:
your pair:
[b] – [m] example:
[p] – [f]
[l] – [r]
Hurley S10