Introduction

➢Intro to distinctive features

➢Distinctive Features (Pre-SPE)

➢Distinctive Features (SPE)

2
 Introduction
➢Intro to distinctive features

➢Distinctive Features (Pre-SPE)

➢Distinctive Features (SPE)

3
 Intro to distinctive features
➢ Distinctive features are the shared components of all
sounds in the same natural class
➢ A natural class represents groups of sounds in a
language that share some articulatory, acoustic
and/or auditory features and behave in a similar way
➢ Phonemes are composed of a sum of features with
unique combinations that keep separate phonemes
apart, i.e. each phoneme has a unique set of features

4
 Example
➢ Distinctive features are constituent components of a phoneme
➢ e.g., /p/ is [+cons, -voice, -cont, LABIAL]

➢ Phonemes that share some of their features form natural classes

➢ e.g., /p t k/ are all [+cons, -voice, -cont]

➢ Each phoneme has a unique set of features

➢ e.g., /p/, /t/ and /k/ share lots of features but differ in place
of articulation features [LABIAL], [CORONAL] and [DORSAL]

5
Conditions for distinctive features
➢There are three requirements for a
distinctive feature system to work:
➢They should be capable of characterizing
natural segment classes.
➢They should be capable of describing all
segmental contrasts in the world’s languages.
➢They should be definable in phonetic terms
(acoustic, perceptual, articulatory)
6
 Introduction
➢Intro to distinctive features

➢Distinctive Features (Pre-SPE)

➢Distinctive Features (SPE)

7
 Pre-SPE
➢ Gunnar Fant (1960,
1962, 1963, 1973)’s
Auditory model is a
speech perception model
that emphasized use of
acoustic components in
decision making.
➢ Viewed as auditory-based
distinctive features
informed by acoustic
theory

8
 Pre-SPE
➢ In their book “preliminaries to speech analysis”, Jakobson & Halle
(1956) defined the basics of distinctive features (work started even
before with Jakobson, Fant & Halle, 1952, among other things)
➢ These were mainly defined acoustically/perceptually with emphasis
on articulatorily components
➢ Their approach emphasized the role of acoustics/perception, because
“we speak to be heard in order to be understood” (Jakobson et al.,
1952: 13)
➢ They divided the distinctive features into 3 categories:
➢ Fundamental source features
➢ Secondary (consonantal) features
➢ Resonance features

9
 Type of
Specification Feature Acoustic/perceptual Articulatory Example
feature
1. Vocalic vs non- Sharply defined formant /i l j/ vs
Voiced: free air passage
1. Fundamental source vocalic structure /p s/
features 2. Consonantal vs non- Obstruction of the vocal /p s/ vs
Low total energy
consonantal tract /i l j/
3. Interrupted vs Interruption or abrupt Rapid closure/opening of /p r ɾ/ vs
Envelope continuant transition vocal tract /s v l/
features 4. Checked vs. Higher rate of energy /tˀ sˀ/ vs
2. Secondary Glottalised
Unchecked discharge /t s/
(consonantal)
Rough-edged effect at /s/ vs
features 5. Strident vs. Mellow High intensity noise
point of articulation /θ/
Supplementary Periodic low frequency /b z/ vs
6. Voiced vs. Unvoiced Vocal cord vibration
Source excitation /p s/
High ratio of front /a k/ vs
Energy concentrated in central
7. Compact vs. Diffuse resonance chamber to
area of spectrum /ɪ t/
back
Energy concentrated in lower Peripheral (towards /u f/ vs
8. Grave vs. Acute
frequencies front/back of vocal tract) /y s/
Downward shift of higher Narrowed aperture by e.g., /y χ tˤ/ vs
Tonality Features 9. Flat vs. Plain
3. Resonance frequencies lip rounding /i x t/
Features Upward shift of upper Reduced oral cavity and /mʲ tʲ/ vs
10. Sharp vs. Plain
frequencies widened pharynx /m t/
Greater deformation of /p f ø i/ vs
High energy with greater
11. Tense vs. Lax vocal tract from its rest
spread and long duration /b v œ ɪ/
position
Supplementary Additional formants and less /œ̃ 10
ɑ̃ m/ vs
12. Nasal vs. Oral Coupling of nasal cavity
Resonator intensity of existing formants /œ ɑ d/
 Pre-SPE
➢ Some of the features are redundant for some languages, e.g.,
compact vs diffuse and grave vs acute and sharp vs plain.
➢ E.g., features for English (Jakobson, Fant & Halle, 1952/1976, pp. 43)

11
 Introduction
➢Intro to distinctive features

➢Distinctive Features (Pre-SPE)

➢Distinctive Features (SPE)

12
 SPE
➢ Compared with Jakobson & Halle’s features, Chomsky &
Halle’s (1968) features are articulatorily based.
➢ They viewed features as articulatorily-based in line with the
speech perception approaches that emphasise role of
articulation in speech perception: objects in perception are
the intended articulatory phonetic gestures of the speaker
➢ SPE divided all distinctive features into 4 categories

13
 SPE Distinctive Features
1. Major class features (3)

2. Manner of articulation features (7+7)

3. Place of articulation (cavity) features (8 binary; 5 unary)

4. Source (laryngeal) features (3+1)

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 SPE Distinctive Features
1. Major class features (3)

2. Manner of articulation features (7+7)

3. Place of articulation (cavity) features (8 binary; 5 unary)

4. Source (laryngeal) features (3+1)

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 1.1. [Consonantal]/[Cons]
Absence/presence of major constriction in the vocal tract
➢ [+Cons] ➔ produced with constriction in the vocal tract, e.g., stops, fricatives,
affricates, nasals, trills, taps and laterals
➢ [-Cons] ➔ does not involve major constriction, e.g., vowels, glides /j, w/ and
laryngeal sounds /ʔ h ɦ/

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
j - + - + - - - - - + - √ +
ʝ + + - + - - - + - - - - + - √ +
æ - + + + - - - - + - - +
ʔ - + - - - - - - + - - Lar - +
16
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 1.2. [Sonorant]/[Son]
Absence/presence of spontaneous voicing
➢ [+Son] ➔ presence of voicing ➔ vowels, glides /j w/, nasals, laterals, rhotics
➢ [-Son] ➔ absence of voicing, e.g., obstruents, sounds produced with noise source:
stops, fricatives, affricates

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

m + + - - + - + + - - - - √ +
b + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ + -
β + - - + - - + + - - - - √ + +
ʋ + + - + - - - - + - - - - √ +

17
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 1.3. [Syllabic]/[Syll]
Phonological (distributional) rather than articulatory feature; if a sound can form
a nucleus of a syllable
➢ [+Syll] ➔ segments can be a nucleus, e.g., vowels.
➢ Nasals, laterals, and rhotics can become syllabic, but are not by default!
➢ [-Syll] ➔ never act as a nucleus: e.g., glides, stops, fricatives, affricates

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
j - + - + - - - - - + - √ +
m + + - - + - + + - - - - √ +
m̩ + + + - + - + + - - - - √ +

18
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 SPE Distinctive Features
1. Major class features (3)

2. Manner of articulation features (7+7)

3. Place of articulation (cavity) features (8 binary; 5 unary)

4. Source (laryngeal) features (3+1)

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 2.1. [Continuant]/[Cont]
Absence/presence of complete closure during the articulation of the segment in
the oral cavity.
➢ [+Cont] ➔ segment with no complete closure: fricatives, vowels, glides, laterals,
and trills, etc.
➢ [-Cont] ➔ segments with complete closure: stops and affricates, taps

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

m + + - - + - + + - - - - √ +
b + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ + -
β + - - + - - + + - - - - √ + +
ʋ + + - + - - - - + - - - - √ +

20
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.2. [Nasal]/[Nas]
Refers to the position of the Velum
➢ [+Nas] ➔ Lowered velum lets air escape from nasal cavity: nasal sounds
➢ [-Nas] ➔ Raised velum lets air escape from oral cavity: all oral sounds
➢ Nasals
➢ Are [-Cont] due to them being both nasal and plosives;
➢ For Cs ➔ [+Nas] is redundant; only [+Son, -Cont](!). BUT we need [+Nas] for nasal vowels

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

n + + - - + - - - + - - - - √ +
r + + - + - - - - + - - - - √ +
d + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ +

21
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.3. [Lateral]/[Lat]
Lowered sides of mid-section of the tongue letting air escape from sides
➢ [+Lat] ➔ Air escaping from sides of the tongue, e.g., laterals, lateral fricatives
➢ [-Lat] ➔ Air escapes normally, e.g., all other sounds

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

r + + - + - - - - + - - - - √ +
l + + - + - + - - - + - - - - √ +

22
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.4. [Strident]/[Strid]
Relevant for obstruents only and refers to a type of friction
➢ [+Strid] ➔ segments with a frication noise that is high in amplitude (sibilants)
➢ [-Strid] ➔ All other segments

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
ʃ + - - + - - + + - - - - - - √ - +
s + - - + - - + - - + - - - - √ - +
f + - - + - - - - - + - - - - √ - +
t͡ʃ + - - - - - + + + - - - - - √ - +
23
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.5. [Distributed]/[Distr]
Constriction extends for some distance along the direction of flow and usage of
apex or laminal area of tongue + higher contact area in the vocal tract
➢ [+Distr] ➔ All laminal consonants (dental, post-alveolar, and palatal) + labials
➢ [-Distr] ➔ All apical consonants (alveolar, retroflex) + labio-dental

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

s + - - + - - + - + - - - - √ - +
θ + - - - - - - + + - - - - √ - +
ʃ + - - + - - + + - - - - - √ - +
ʂ + - - + - - - - - - - - - √ - +
ɸ + - - + - - + + - - - - √ - +
24
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.6. [Delayed Release]/[Del Rel]
Release of stops (primary or secondary release), refers to the duration of release
phase in production of stops (also, [±Instantaneous Release], but use [Del Rel]!)
➢ [+Del Rel] ➔ Affricates
➢ [-Del Rel] ➔ Stops/plosives

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
t͡s + - - - - - + - + + - - - - √ - +

25
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 2.7. [Tense]/[tns]
Deliberate, accurate, maximally distinct articulation (of supralaryngeal
musculature); [+Tense]; [-Tense] has a laxer articulation (= lax). Only vowels!
[±ATR] (Advanced Tongue Root); [±RTR] (Retracted Tongue Root) ➔ variants of
[±Tense]
➢ [±ATR] ➔ [+ATR]: forward position of the tongue body, with concomitant enlargement of
the pharynx; used to describe Akan vowels
➢ [±RTR] ➔ [+RTR]: retraction and lowering of the tongue body, with concomitant narrowing
of the pharynx; used to describe pharyngealization effects, etc.
Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
ɪ - + + + - - - - - + - +
e - + + + - + - - - - - +
ɛ - + + + - - - - - - - +
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ -
26
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 Additional features (language specific)

➢ [+/- velaric suction] ➔ Velaric closure to produce clicks

➢ [+/- implosion] ➔ Glottal closure producing suction (implosives)
➢ [+/- velaric pressure] ➔ Velaric closure producing pressure (not present in
languages)
➢ [+/- Ejection] ➔ Glottal closure producing pressure (ejectives)

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 SPE Distinctive Features
1. Major class features (3)

2. Manner of articulation features (7+7)

3. Place of articulation (cavity) features (8 binary; 5 unary)

4. Source (laryngeal) features (3+1)

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 3.1. [Anterior]/[Ant]
Anterior consonants are front consonants usually produced between the alveolar
ridge and the hard palate. Distinguishes them from back consonants
➢ [+Ant] ➔ All bilabial, labiodental, dental, and alveolar consonants
➢ [-Ant] ➔ All remaining consonants

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

p + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ - -
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - -
t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
t͡ʃ + - - - - - + + + - - - - - √ - +
θ + - - + - - - + + - - - - √ - +
29
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.2. [Back]
Tongue body retracted from neutral position. Usually for vowels, but can be
used for consonants
➢ [+Back] ➔ All back vowels and consonants
➢ [-Back] ➔ All non-back vowels and consonants
[+/- front] ➔ tongue body fronted from neutral position. Usually for vowels, but
can be used for consonants. Redundant feature, not used!
Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

y - + + + - + - - - + + +
u - + + + - + - + - + + +
æ - + + + - - - - + - - +
ɑ - + + + - + - + + - - +
ɡ + - - - - - - - - + - + - √ +
30
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.2. [Back]
In SPE, there are rarely three back distinctions, e.g., [y ʉ u] or [æ a ɑ]. An [a] is
usually accepted as an [ɑ]. If a language has one [a], then it is [+Back]!

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

y - + + + - + - - - + + +
u - + + + - + - + - + + +
æ - + + + - - - - + - - +
ɑ - + + + - + - + + - - +
ɡ + - - - - - - - + - + - √ +
31
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.3. [Low]
Tongue body below neutral position. Usually for vowels, but can be used for
consonants
➢ [+Low] ➔ All open vowels and some consonants
➢ [-Low] ➔ All median and high vowels and some consonants

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
e - + + + - + - - - - - +
æ - + + + - - - - + - - +
ɦ - + - + - - - - + - - Lar + +

32
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.4. [High]
Tongue body above neutral position. Usually for vowels, but can be used for
consonants
➢ [+High] ➔ All high vowels and some consonants
➢ [-High] ➔ All non-high vowels and some consonants

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
e - + + + - + - - - - - +
æ - + + + - - - - + - - +

33
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 [Back], [Low] and [High]
Can also be used for some consonants

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - -
q + - - - - - - - + + - - √ - - +?
c + - - - - - - + - - - - + - √ - -
ʡ + - - - - - - - + + - - Rad - +

34
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.5. [Round]/[Rnd]
Used to signal differences related to rounding of lips
➢ [+Round] ➔ All rounded vowels and some consonants, e.g., [w tʷ]
➢ [-Round] ➔ All non-rounded vowels and some consonants, e.g., [j]
➢ Secondary articulation is different from labial!
➢ [p] is [LABIAL, -Round] vs [pʷ] [LABIAL, +Round]!

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

i - + + + - + - - - + - +
y - + + + - + - - - + + +
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ -
kʷ + - - - - - - - + - + + √ -

35
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 Place features

➢ Traditionally, only [±Coronal] was used. However,

➢ More recent distinctive feature lists treat consonantal place of articulation
features as having single value only
➢ [LABIAL] ➔ bilabial and labiodental
➢ [CORONAL] ➔ dental, alveolar, post-alveolar, retroflex, (palatal)
➢ [DORSAL] ➔ (palatal), velar, uvular
➢ [RADICAL]/[PHARYNGEAL] ➔ pharyngeal, epiglottal
➢ [LARYNGEAL]/[GLOTTAL] ➔ glottal

From Zsiga (2013,

p. 265)

36
 3.6. [LABIAL]/[LAB]
All consonants involving usage of the lips
➢ [LABIAL] ➔ Usage of lip(s), e.g., bilabial and labiodental

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

p + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ - -
t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
c + - - - - - - + - - - - + - √ - -
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - -
t͡ʃ + - - - - - + + + - - - - - √ - +
37
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.7. [CORONAL]/[COR]
All consonants involving usage of the coronal area
➢ [CORONAL] ➔ Traditionally, All consonants produced using laminal area of the
tongue; dental, alveolar, post-alveolar, retroflex, (palatal)
➢ Palatals can be considered at the edge of the “coronals”. Some theories place
them within “dorsals”

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

p + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ - -
t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
c + - - - - - - + - - - - + - √ - -
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - -
t͡ʃ + - - - - - + + + - - - - - √ - +
38
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 3.8. [DORSAL]/[DOR]
All consonants produced at the back of the tongue (dorsum)
➢ [DORSAL] ➔ All consonants produced using back tongue, e.g., (palatal), velar,
uvular
➢ Palatals can be considered at the edge of the “coronals”. Some theories place
them within “dorsals”

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

p + - - - - - + - + - - - - √ - -
t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
c + - - - - - - + - - - - + - √ - -
k + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - -
t͡ʃ + - - - - - + + + - - - - - √ - +
39
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 Additional features (language specific)

➢ [RADICAL]/[PHARYNGEAL] ➔ pharyngeal, epiglottal

➢ [LARYNGEAL]/[GLOTTAL] ➔ glottals
➢ [±covered] ➔ pharynx walls narrowed/tensed, and larynx raising
➢ [±glottal constriction] ➔ constriction of vocal cords

40
 SPE Distinctive Features
1. Major class features (3)

2. Manner of articulation features (7+7)

3. Place of articulation (cavity) features (8 binary; 5 unary)

4. Source (laryngeal) features (3+1)

41
 4.1. [Voice]/[Voi]
Vocal cords vibration (induced by appropriate glottal opening and airflow)
➢ [+Voice] ➔ All voiced consonants; vowels are by default voiced!
➢ [-Voice] ➔ All voiceless consonants, devoiced vowels and consonants

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

d + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ +
t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
r + + - + - - - - + - - - - √ +
m̥ + + - - + - + + - - - - √ -

42
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 4.2. [Spread Glottis]/[SG]
Absence/presence of aspiration during the production of the segment
➢ [+SG] ➔ All aspirated consonants + fricatives
➢ [-SG] ➔ All unaspirated consonants
[+/- heightened subglottal pressure] ➔ tenseness in subglottal musculature
producing greater subglottal pressure. Previously used instead of [SG]

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

t + - - - - - - - - + - - - - √ - -
kʰ + - - - - - - - + - + - √ - +
s + - - + - - + - - + - - - - √ - +

43
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 4.3. [Constricted Glottis]/[CG]
Absence/presence of constriction of glottis
➢ [+CG] ➔ sounds produced while constricting the glottis, e.g., glottal stops and
creaky, tense voice, etc.
➢ [-CG] ➔ All other sounds

Del
Cons Son Syll Cont Nas Lat Strid Distr Tns Ant Back Low High Rnd LAB COR DOR Voi SG CG
Rel

ʔ - + - - - - - - + - - Lar - +
ɑ̰ - + + + - - + + + - - + - +
ɑ̤ - + + + - - + + + - - + + -
m + + - - + - + + - - - - √ +

44
Binary features specified as + OR -; unspecified features are empty; unary features for place are specified with √
 Example

Gussenhoven (2017, p. 80). Please note that /l/ and /j/ have their [+lateral] feature reversed; it is + for /l/ and – for45[j]
Example

From Zsiga (2013,

p. 259)

46
Example

From Zsiga (2013,

p. 270)

47
 Next week

➢ Week 4 ➔ We will continue looking at SPE and feature

matrix

48
Questions?

Merci!

49