Selected Phonological Rules
/ Processes
 Assimilation
 Dissimilation
 Feature Changing
 Segment Insertion
 Segment Deletion
 Movement / Metathesis
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, pp. 274-282.
Distinctive Features
Consonantal
Stop
Continuant
Labial
Voiced
Nasal
/p/
+
+
–
+
–
–
/b/
+
+
–
+
+
–
/m/
+
+
–
+
+
+
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 267.
Segment Deletion
/ g / before Word-Final Nasal
A
B
sign
design
paradigm
signature
designation
paradigmatic
sign
design
signs / signing
designs / designing
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 279.
Segment Deletion:
/ b / after Word-final / m /
A
B
bomb
iamb
crumb
bomb
iamb
crumb
climb
comb
lamb
bombardier
iambic
crumble
bombing / bomber
iambs
crumbs
climbing / climber
combs / combing
lambs
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2003. An Introduction to
Language, 7th ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth, p. 310.
Segment Deletion:
Optional Unstressed Syllable Deletion
mystery
general
memory
funeral
vigorous
Barbara
mystry
genral
memry
funral
vigrous
Barbra
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 279.
Phonemic Representations
and Phonetic Realizations
A
compete
medicinal
maintain
telegraph
[i]
[I]
[e]
[ɛ]
B
competition
medicine
maintenance
telegraphy
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 282.
Phonemic Representations
and Phonetic Realizations
A
analysis
solid
phone
Talmudic
[æ]
[a]
[o]
[ʊ]
B
analytic
solidify
phonetic
Talmud
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
[ǝ]
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 282.
English Syllable Structure
σ
Onset
Rime
Nucleus
s
p
l
I
Coda
n
t
s
Fromkin, Victoria, Robert Rodman & Nina Hyams. 2007. An Introduction to
Language, 8th edition. Boston, MA: Thomson Wadsworth, p. 287.
Chinese Syllable Structure
σ
Onset
Rime
Glide Nucleus Coda

OPTIONAL ( )

( )

N
( )
{ Nasal }
{ Glide
}
{ Nothing }
{ -r
}
Adapted from The Segmental Phonology of Southern Min in Taiwan, fourth
edition. Raung-fu Chung. Kaohsiung: Fu-Wen Books, 1995.
Analysis Procedure
1. Collect data
2. Look for phonological patterns and the
contexts (or environments) that show
similarities or differences (See TIP)
3. Organize data according to patterns or
contexts
4. Identify the allophones and their
associated environments
5. Formulate a generalization or rule
TIP: Look for minimal pairs and
complementary distribution
Chapter 7 Homework
(Exercise 7, p. 302)
English
Alveolar non-sonorant consonants become
palatalized before (high) front glide that is
before a high back vowel
+cons
–cons
+alveo +palatal / __ –syllabic +syllabic
–sonor
+high
+high
+front
+back
Chapter 7 Homework
(Exercise 8, pp. 302-303)
Japanese
Analyze [ t ], [ tʃ ], [ ts ]
a. Complementary distribution?
Yes
b. [ tʃ ] before [ i ]
[ ts ] before [ u ]
[ t ] in other places
c. All three are allophones of / t /
d. Use / t / everywhere [SURPRISE!]
Chapter 7 Homework
(Exercise 9, p. 303)
Paku (made-up language for TV show)
1. Predictable Stress: penultimate syllable
2. Nasalization of vowels is NOT distinctive.
Rule: +nasalization of vowel before a
nasal consonant
Chapter 7 Homework
(Exercise 11, p. 304)
English
Word


c. [khnow]
d. [maj]
e. [gnostIk]
“Foreign”

a. [phril]
b. [skritʃ ]
Possible
English
Word


Chapter 7 Homework
(Exercise 11, p. 304)
English
Word
f. [jũnǝkhɔrn 
g. [fruit]
h. [blaft]
i. [ŋar]
j. [æpǝphlɛksi]
Possible “Foreign”
English
Word



