Distinctive Feature Analysis For English Sounds
Pick a sound to get the shortest set of features that makes it different from every other sound, with the steps that narrow it down and the full matrix.
Syllables
Type a word to see its syllable division, syllable structure and tree diagram. You can also type a transcription between slashes, such as /ˈbet.ə.mənt/.
The 44 Sounds
Choose a sound to see its name, three sample words and their transcription, and to hear the words.
Distinctive Features AnalysisFull Access
Pick a sound to get the shortest set of features that makes it different from every other sound. Features that follow from the others are left out, because they would be redundant.
Transformations
How a sound changes in a new environment: plural and past endings, and place assimilation.
Plural And Past Endings
Place Assimilation
Worked Examples
| Change | Rule |
|---|---|
| ten boys [ten bɔɪz] → [tem bɔɪz] | /n/ → /m/: the alveolar nasal takes the place of the bilabial that follows it. |
| that side [ðæt saɪd] → [ðæs saɪd] | /t/ → /s/: [−continuant] becomes [+continuant] before /s/. |
| night club [naɪt klʌb] → [naɪk klʌb] | /t/ → /k/: [+alveolar] becomes [−alveolar, +back] before /k/. |
| eat → ate /iːt/ → /et/ | /iː/ → /e/ in the environment [+past]: [+high] becomes [−high], [+length] becomes [−length]. |
| run → ran /rʌn/ → /ræn/ | /ʌ/ → /æ/ in the environment [+past]: [−front] becomes [+front]. |
AllophonesFull Access
An allophone is a variant of a phoneme that does not change the meaning of a word. Choose a phoneme to see its allophones, where each occurs and example words.
Naming Sounds With Their Parameters
Choose a sound to see its three-term label. Consonants are named by voicing, place and manner (S, P, M). Vowels are named by the part of the tongue raised, its height and the shape of the lips (P, H, S).
Find A Sound From Its Name
Practise
Sentence TranscriptionFull Access
Type a word, phrase or sentence. You get UK phonemic, UK phonetic and US phonemic transcriptions built from the dictionary, with weak forms, one primary stress and syllable dots between the words.
Practise Transcribing
Transcribe the word or phrase yourself, then check your answer. Use phonemic transcription for the accent selected at the top (UK or US). Install a phonetic (IPA) keyboard from the Play Store or the App Store, or tap the symbols below.
Ask About Phonology
Ask for a syllable count, a feature analysis, a sound name or a transcription, or look up a term in phonetics and phonology.
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