A short presentation describing the distinctive features to distinguish major phonological classes.

1. DISTINCTIVE
FEATURES
By –
Deepak Jangid - 2012EEB1056
Mohit Jasapara - 2012EEB1059

2. Distinctive features
 Roman Jakobson proposed that there is
one universal set of distinctive features for
all languages, which define classes of
sounds relevant to phonology.
 All contrasts must be stated in terms of
these features.
 All restrictions on distribution must be stated
in terms of these features.

3. Definition
 Distinctive features are the universal set of
cognitive properties associated with the
speech sounds that are used in language.
 They determine the contrasts which may
exist between speech sounds, account
for the ways in which these sounds may
change, or alternate, and define the sets
of sounds.

4. Feature Systems
The formal development of distinctive feature
theory is due primarily to Roman Jakobson.
a) Only binary oppositions are accepted.[+/-]
b) Descriptions should be based on a minimum
number of DFs.
c) These are selected from a limited set of
universal DFs.
d) The DF values for the sounds of a language are
arranged as a matrix with +, – and 0 (not
relevant) values.

5. Major Class Features
 The major class features are:
 [consonantal] +obstruent; -vowels, glides
 [sonorant]
 [syllabic] +vowels; -consonants
 They define major classes of sounds, such
as consonant and vowel, sonorant and
obstruent.

6. Laryngeal Features
 The laryngeal features are:
 [voice]
 [spread glottis] +aspirated; -unaspirated
 [constricted glottis] +glottal; -glottal
 They define glottal state of sounds thus
classifying into voiced and voiceless,
aspirated and unaspirated.

7. Place Features
 The place features are:
 [Labial] +bilabial, labiodental
 [Coronal] +dental, alveolar
 [Dorsal] +palatal, velar
 They specify the place of articulation.

8. Manner Features
 The manner features are:
 [Continuant] +no obstruction
 [Nasal] +velum lowered
 [Lateral] +laterals
 [Delayed release] +affricates; -stops
 They specify the manner of articulation.

9. Some consonant classes
[son] [cont] [del rel]
Plosives - - -
Affricates - - +
Fricatives - + +
Nasals + - -
Approximants + + -

10. Height Features
 [high]: A sound is [+high] if it is produced
with the tongue body raised from neutral
(mid central) position; otherwise it is
[-high].
 [low]: A sound is [+low] if it is produced
with the tongue body lowered from
neutral (mid central) position; otherwise it
is [-low].

11. Back Features
 [back]: A sound is [+back] if it is produced
with the tongue is positioned far back as
possible in the mouth without creating a
constriction that would be classified as a
consonant; otherwise it is [-back].

12. Some features for Vowels