Elements of German: Phonology and Morphology

Chapter 2. Phonemics

Chapter 2 Phonemics So far, we have been dealing with the phonetic 'raw materials ' of German. This is very necessary for a foreigner learning the language. However, a native speaker is usually not aware of finer phonetic differences, but rather pays attention only to distinctive phonological units called phonemes. Each language has its own set of phonemes, and we will now attempt to determine those of German. In establishing phonemes, we ignore all phonetic differences that are either predictable or in free variation with each other, e.g., [k] and [c] or [kh ] and [k]. In other words, we are looking for those phonetic features which differentiate one phoneme (distinctive sound unit) from another. 2.1 Phonemic contrasts (consonants) The pairs of German consonants given on page 67 represent sounds that are closely related phonetically and therefore mayor may not be phonemically distinct. To determine a possible phonemic contrast, select from the list on page 68 a minimal pair that represents a difference in meaning in each position called for: initial, medial, and final position, as is shown for the pair of phones [m : n]. If no minimal pair can be found for a certain position, write 'None' in the appropriate space. Remember: We are concerned here only with pronunciation ; spelling is entirely irrelevant, except that it is usually a good indication of the standard pronunciation, provided we know the rules. If you are not sure of the correct pronunciation of an item, check with Siebs or a good bilingual dictionary, such as Cassel's or Langenscheidt's. Note that in a minimal pair, all phones must be identical except for the ones under immediate consideration, and there must be a difference in 68 Phonemics meaning between the two words. If you are not certain of the meaning of a word, look it up! After you have found a minimal pair for as many pairs of phones and positions as you can, answer the following questions : For those instances in which you have written 'None': (1) Can you explain, on the basis of your knowledge of the rules of German pronunciation, why we should, or should not, expect to find a contrast here? (2) For which pairs of consonants were you unable to find a minimal pair in any position? What does this fact imply? (3) Does the absence of a minimal pair always indicate a lack of contrast between the sounds in question (Le., that a German-speaker cannot hear the difference)? Phonemic contrasts (consonants) 69 INITIAL MEDIAL FINAL [p: b] [t : d] [k: g] [f: v] [8 : z] [m: n] [n : 1)] [r : 1] [r :R] [r : K] [R: K] [k : kh ] [kh : ch ] [g : j] [g : j] [8 : J] [J: 3] [k: x] [k: ~] [g : x] [g : ~] [x : ~] [Pf: p] [Pf: f] [ts : t] [fs : s] Miete : Niete kiimmen : kennen wem : wen 70 Phonemics ach hass (ihn)! Miete Schecks Arger hell Mowe SchluB Bache Herr Niete Schur Backe hoffen packen Schuss backen Hopfen Panne Schutt Bogenlinie ich Pfanne Schutz Bojenlinie Jahr Pfeil sechs brauchen Jour Preis seit Buch kammen Quabbe Sex Bug karg quaken singen Chemie Karten Quappe sinnen Deich kennen rang stopfen ehrende knall! rann stoppen elende knarr! rechen Strich Erker kriechen recken Strick Falter kriegen Reeder Stump Falzer Leder reichen Stumpf fauchen leid reisen Teich Fee leiden reiBen Tier feil leiten reizen Tuff Frauchen Lob Ritt Tupf gar Lowe Ritz Weh Garten Masche Rochen wem hallen Masse Roggen wen harren Meer Rumpf Zeit hasch (ihn)! Mehl Saison Zipfel Phonemic contrasts (consonants) 71 TABLE 3. Consonant phonemes of German POINT OF ARTICULATION MODE OF labial apical apieo- dorsal unloealARTICULATION dorsal ized STOPS vel. /pl It/ /k/ ved. fbI Idl Igl FRICATIVESvel. IfI lsI lsI Ixl /hi vcd. Ivl Izi IiI NASALS Iml Inl LATERALS /11 TRILLS Ir - rl The labial phonemes Ipl, Ibl, IfI, lvi, Iml are those formed by involving the lips, whether they are bilabial or labiodental. The apical phonemes It!, Idl, lsi, Izl, In!, Ill, Irl are those formed by involving the tip of the tongue (apex), whether they are alveolar or dental. The apico-dorsal phonemes lsi, IiI are those formed with the apex and the dorsum simultaneously. Note that the symbols are different from those used in phonetics. The dorsal phonemes Ik/, Igl, lxi, Irl are those formed with the dorsum, whether they are palatal, velar, or uvular. Therefore, /k/ = [c-k], Ig/ = [j-g], Ixl = [~-x], Irl = [R...