Minimal Pair
Definition:
A minimal pair is two words that differ in only one sound.
Examples:
(English)
Sounds which differ: /p/ and /b/
- [lQp] ‘lap’
- [lQb] ‘lab’
(Cashinahua, Peru/Brazil)
Sounds which differ: /t/ and /d/
- [taka] 'liver'
- [daka] 'to rest'
See Also:
Source:
This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library. Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003.