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A sound difference can matter in one language but not another

In the English examples in MIT’s notes, aspiration varies with a consonant’s position; in Hindi, an aspiration contrast can distinguish words. Counting a language’s sound categories therefore involves more than listing every sound a mouth can produce.

3–7 min

Questions you could explore

  • What is the difference between noticing a sound difference and using it to distinguish words?
  • How could a minimal pair show that aspiration distinguishes words in a particular language?

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A sound difference can matter in one language but not another | Speech Topic | speaking.app