Question

If a phoneme variation does not bring meaning change, it is called:

• A. Allophone
• B. Homonym
• C. Homophone
• D. Allomorph

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Allophone

• An allophone is a variant of a phoneme that occurs in certain contexts but does not change meaning.

• Example:

  • The /p/ in pin [pʰɪn] (aspirated)

  • The /p/ in spin [spɪn] (unaspirated)
    Both are allophones of the phoneme /p/ in English — the difference does not create a new word.