Don't forget that phonemes are indicated with / / slashes and allophones with [ ] brackets.

Solving Phonology Problellls (Appendix, pp. 99-101)

The basic goal in solving a phonology problem is to determine if the sounds being examined
belong to one phoneme or to separate phonemes.

When allophones belong to When allophones belong to the

separate phonemes, they are: same phoneme, they are:
1. Contrastive/distinctive 1. Noncontrastive/rule-governed
2. In unpredictable distribution 2. In predictable distribution
3. Easily perceived as different by native 3. Not easily perceived as different by
speakers native speakers
4. Not necessarily phonetically similar 4. Always phonetically similar

Problem-Solving Flowchart

Minimal Pairs
CHECK FOR MINIMAL PhonetIc forms that vary by one sound that is III the
PAIRS same position in both forms, and that have different
ml'alllngs.

YES NO

Allophones of

Separate Phonemes
Complementary Distribution
CHECK FOR Sounds that never occur in thl'

j COMPLEMENTARY
DISTRIBUTION
same phonetic environml'llt.
Where one is, the other never is.

/ / / /
I I YES NO
[1 [1
Allophones of the Allophones of
Same Phoneme Separate Phonemes

j j
/ / / / / /
~ I I
[J [] [] []

Repeat the above for each pair of sounds vou are investigating.