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Complementary distribution

Complementary distribution. An Animated and Narrated Glossary of Terms used in Linguistics presents. Definition. Two forms A and B are in complementary distribution if they never occur in the same environment. Picture Credits:

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Complementary distribution

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  1. Complementary distribution An Animated and Narrated Glossary of Terms used in Linguistics presents

  2. Definition • Two forms A and B are in complementary distribution if they neveroccur inthe same environment. Picture Credits: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_65/1150159436x7mZQr.jpg http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/images/content/137159main_FirstStars_top_pannel_lg.jpg

  3. Basic Idea • The distribution of the two forms do not overlap. ExampleDistributions Spiderman When there is danger and crime Peter Parker Elsewhere

  4. Complementarity and Identity If an entity X has multiple manifestations, then all manifestations of X would be in complementary distribution. Thus, when two forms are in complementary distribution, • One suspects that underlyingly they are really the same thing with different manifestations • But this is not necessarily so.

  5. Example from English “pet” [phet] “map” [mæp] “spin” [spin] “rapid” [’ræpid] “rapidity” [rə’phiditi] • [ph] occurs as the onset of a stressed syllable. • [p] occurs elsewhere. • In English, [ph] and [p] are in complementary distribution. *[pet] *[mæph] *[sphin] *[’ræphid] *[’rəpiditi]

  6. Example from German Why der and den are in complementary distribution? • Der only occurs in the subject position whereas • Den only occurs in the object position. der den “the” [+ masculine] Der Tisch ist gut. “The table is good.” Ich mag den Tisch. “I like the table.” *Den Tisch ist gut. *Ich mag der Tisch.

  7. The End Wee, Lian-Hee and Winnie H.Y. Cheung (2009) An animated and narrated glossary of terms used in Linguistics. Hong Kong Baptist University.

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