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'
Glossary term M