Phonetics

Question 1

Allophones of the same phoneme are always…

Answer 1

Phonetically similar
In complementary distribution or free variation

Question 2

Phonetically similar

Answer 2

Sounds similar
Made in similar ways (voicing, place or manner of articulation, aspiration, etc.)

Question 3

Complementary distribution

Answer 3

Each allophone occurs in its own set of word environments: restricted to a particular position in the word or syllable, or restricted to occurrence next to certain sounds
The different environments complement one another to make up a complete set

Question 4

Free variation

Answer 4

Allophones can substitute for one another in words with no change in meaning

Question 5

Steps in phonemic fieldwork

Answer 5

1. Phonetic transcription
2. Tabulate sounds, note which ones are similar
3. Look for contrast
4. Look for CD and FV
5. Deal with segmentation problems (if any)
6. Write up analysis

Question 6

Phonetic transcription

Answer 6

Aim for consistency, detail, and accuracy

Question 7

On a phone chart, mark “suspicious pairs” of sounds that are

Answer 7

Phonetically similar

Question 8

Distributional charts

Answer 8

Made to compare the environments of suspicious pairs
Helps you find either contrast OR CD or FV
Look for what’s different between the sounds

Question 9

Contrast

Answer 9

Indicates separate phonemes, which distinguish different words

Question 10

Minimal pair

Answer 10

A pair of words with only one difference in sounds (indicates contrast and thus separate phonemes)

Question 11

Near-minimal pair

Answer 11

A pair of words in which the two sounds in question are at least adjacent to the same sounds (can indicate contrast/separate phonemes, but not always)

Question 12

Segmentation problems

Answer 12

Is the sound one phoneme, or two?
/tS/ (ch) vs. /ts/ (ts)

Question 13

Analysis

Answer 13

Includes phonemic chart and distribution of allophones

Question 14

Parallelism

Answer 14

When certain allophones of distinct but similar-sounding phonemes occur in the same environment
Example: In English, the voiceless stops have aspirated allophones that occur in the same environment

Question 15

Your written analysis of the phonemes and distribution of allophones should be

Answer 15

Descriptively adequate and as general and simple as possible

Question 16

Why alternate between gathering data and analyzing it?

Answer 16

As your ear is trained to the sounds of the new language, your transcription will improve, which will improve your analysis.
All transcriptions should be dated

Question 17

To aid accuracy of perception and transcription

Answer 17

Compare words that seem to have the same or similar sounds
Mimic and ask your language helper if you said it right

Question 18

Strategies for analyzing tone

Answer 18

1. Isolate tone by humming or whistling
2. Use the monotony test
3. Test words in frames

Question 19

Isolating tone by humming/whistling

Answer 19

Leaving off consonants and vowels can help you hear the tone more easily

Question 20

Monotony test

Answer 20

Sort by assumed tones or tone contours, then listen to each list to see whether all have the same tone or tone pattern. If not, re-sort them

Question 21

Testing words in frames

Answer 21

A repeated frame provides a common reference point for comparison of the tones (Be aware that the frame itself may be affected by the inserted word)

Question 22

A language helper is needed for

Answer 22

Collecting data
Checking the accuracy of data
Comparing written texts to spoken texts

Question 23

Qualities for an informant

Answer 23

Speaks the language well
Has a regular schedule
Has enough time to spend with the linguist

Question 24

Informant: character

Answer 24

Intelligent
Good memory
Alertness
Patience, honesty, dependability, cheerfulness

Question 25

Informant: language

Answer 25

Good diction
Precise articulation
Talkative
Ability to be analytical
Intolerance of muddled sentences