Minimal pairs

 

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Previously, minimal pairs were mentioned. Minimal pairs are sets of words from the same language that have different meanings but differ only in one sound (phoneme).

These can be very confusing for English learners, as they might not be aware of these differences in the sound or how to pronounce them properly. Incorrect pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings in both listening and speaking English.

Some minimal pairs have the same spelling in writing, while others are spelled differently:

Example of minimal pairs with the same spelling but different pronunciation

Read /ˈriːd/ (present simple form) and Read /rēd/ (past simple form)

Lead /lɛd/ (a metal) lead /ˈliːd/ (verb: to conduct by guiding)

Example of minimal pairs with different spelling and different pronunciation:

Sick /ˈsɪk/ and seek /ˈsiːk/

Witch /ˈwɪtʃ/ and wish /ˈwɪʃ/

References

Herrera, M. A. B., Chávez, L. L. A., & Rojas, D. F. Á. (2016). Pronunciation improvement in EFL young learners through phonics instruction. Praxis, 12(1), 52-62. https://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/articulo?codigo=5907249

 

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There are many minimal pairs; however, in this session we will focus on the following ones:

    Consonants

  1. /b/ and /v/ ➪ Bent & vent ; bury & very
  2. Final /s/ and /z/ ➪ Place &plays; Once & Ones
  3. /d/ and /ð/ ➪ Doe & Though;Breed & Breathe
  4. /tʃ/ and /ʃ/ ➪ Chair & share; Cheese & She's
  5. /d/ and /ʤ/ ➪ Dump & Jump; Day & Jay 

    Vowels

  1. /ɪ/ and /i:/ ➪ Fill & feel; slip & sleep
  2. /æ/ and /ʌ/ ➪ Bat & but; match & much
  3. /æ/ and /ɑ:/ ➪Had& hard;Pat & part

    Diphthongs

  1.  /əʊ/ and /aʊ/ ➪ Tone & town; known & noun

References

Englishclub. (s. f.). Minimal Pairs (De Alex case). Englishclub.com. https://www.englishclub.com/pronunciation/minimal-pairs.php

EXAMPLE OF MISUNDERSTANDING BECAUSE OF MINIMAL PAIRS

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In this scene, Gloria, a Colombian woman, mispronounces the name of the man, Phil, as "feel" instead of "Phil." 

When Phil compliments Gloria on her dress, Gloria answers "thank you, feel" but she meant to say Phil, not feel. 

The transcription of Phil is /fɪl/ whereas the transcription of feel is /fiːl/ 

The key difference lies in the vowel sound; these two words are minimal pairs: Phil has a short i and Feel uses a long i

As a result of the misunderstanding, Phil touches Gloria's dress and his wife explains to him the mispronunciation: "Phil, she says Phil, not feel"

This scene belongs to the series Modern family, the pilot episode (Season 1, episode 1)