Linguistic Perspectives 2003

Homework: Phonetics and Phonology

Problem I. This problem focuses on two sounds in Tagalog (spoken in the Philippines): [r] and [d]. Answer all questions. [Spelling note: the spelling -ng- represents the velar nasal consonant, just like in English.]

1. Describe these two sounds in terms of voicing, place, and manner of articulation. Based on your description, what phonetic characteristics do they have in common?

2. Look at the distribution of [r] and [d] in the following data and give a description of the contexts in which each is found.

Tagalog Data

3. Based on the data, are these two sounds in contrastive or complementary distribution?

4. Are [r] and [d] different phonemes in Tagalog, or are they allophones of the same phoneme?

Problem II. This problem focuses on the three realizations of the English plural suffix written -s. It is actually pronounced in three different ways: as /s/ in cats, bricks, laughs, myths, etc.; as /z/ in dogs, plays, pins, raves, bowls, pears, etc.; and as /Iz/ in passes, lashes, catches, mazes, judges, garages.

1. What are the environments for each pronunciation of the -s suffix? Give a description in terms of the place, manner, and/or voicing of the relevant environment.

2. What is the relationship between the forms of the -s suffix and the environments in which they occur?

3. Select one of the three realizations of -s as a starting point (your 'underlying representation'), and state in words some rules that will generate all the observed ('surface') forms from that starting point.