Phonetics and Phonology Teaching the Difference

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Wilbur A. Benware

Abstract

One of the most difficult concepts to get across in introductory linguistics courses i.s the concept of the phoneme or the phonological 'level' of analysis. Here is a classic case where analogies are needed to help build a bridge to a concept which in the experience of many leads to more misunderstanding than any other.


In teaching introductory phonology, I employ four analogies, each of which is designed to underscore a different aspect in the distinction between phonetics and phonology. These are the distinctions between 1) abstract and concrete, 2) same and different, 3) physical phenomena and (abstract) rules, and 4) individual items and patterns. 

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