Classification of opposition in the phonological system

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A phoneme can only perform its distinctive function if it is opposed to another phoneme (or to no sound) in the same position. Such an opposition is called distinctive, or phonological. There exist very interesting, but rather com­plicated classifications of phonological oppositions, such as the one worked out by M. S. Trubetzkoy in his book Grund- ziige der Phonologie, but, as it is applicable to an already established phonemic system, a different classi­fication is here proposed for an initial phonological analysis of a language. This classification is based on the number of dis­tinctive articulatory features underlying the opposition.

Bilateral (одномерные) anil multilateral oppositions.

In bilateral oppositions p || b, t || d, к || g members of the opposition possess common features which are characteristic only of the members of this opposition.

In multilateral oppositions features characterizing 2 members of the opposition may be at the same time characteristic of other members of the system. In i: || ǽ as which is a multilateral opposition, in Тек || Tƒek, din || pin we see more than one distinctive feature.

d - oral, apical, plosive, fortis, stop. \

p - oral, bilabial, plosive, fortis, stop,

x - marks the distinctive features.

X1= not bilabial; Х2 = not apical

Multilateral oppositions may be homogenuous and heterogenuous.

Homogenuous oppositions are represented by series of bilateral oppositions: i: || i || e || £ || as. A set of determining features is also peculiar to other members of the system. The extreme members of these oppositions are multilateral [i: || as]»between these members we can insert a series of bilateral oppositions.

In к || g we may insert one more member: к [| g || rj = к || g, g j| ij.

Heterogenuos oppositions cannot admit a series of bilateral oppositions between their extreme members.

Bilateral and multilateral oppositions may be proportional (symmetrical) and isolated.

A proportional opposition a set of oppositions which correspond in the same contrast: p: b, s: z, к: g, b: m, d: n, i|. -X -not lenis. In isolated oppositions (r: 1) we shall not find the same relations between members of other oppositions. The number of isolated oppositions in the phonological system prevails.

2. Characterizing oppositions as to the relations between the members of the opposition N. S. Trubetskoy distinguishes:

a) Privative oppositions (one member of the opposition has a certain feature, the other — has not). The first member is called the marked member. That member of a bilateral opposition which is characterized by the presence of a relevant feature which marks the opposition is marked by the presence of that feature. The second member is the unmarked member of the opposition. In the opposition pin: bin /b/ is marked by the presence of lenis quality and absence of fortis quality.

b) Gradual oppositions possess the same feature in a different degree (e.g. the difference in a degree of aperture (u: o, i: e). They may possess more than 2 members.

c) Equipollent oppositions (равнозначные) are the oppositions where both members are equal logically; they are neither privative nor gradual (p: f, f: k). The number of these oppositions is great. They are not relevant for the investigation of the phonological system. At present R. Jacobson and Halle single out 14 binary distinctive features from binary oppositions.

3. Classification of oppositions with reference to the distinctive function of the members of the opposition.

The oppositions are not always relevant. In some cases distinctive features relevant in one position are non-relevant in another and have no distinctive function. In the first case we deal with constant (permanent) opposition, in the second - neutralized.

Пил: Бил — П || Б relevant in this position;

ДуБ: Пила — Б || П phonologically irrelevant;

П || Б is actual not in every position.

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