minimal pairs

Phonemes and Minimal Pairs

People are able to make many different sounds but each language has only a limited number of sounds that carry meaning. These sounds are called phonemes. Each language has its own unique set of phonemes. In English, the sound /p/ is different from the sound /b/ and because of that difference we recognize pat and bat as different words. We have a special name for words like pat and bat, pit and bit, pet and bet that are exactly the same except for one sound but which have different meanings and which we recognize as being different from each other. That name is minimal pair.

A good way to practice the sounds of a language – both for speaking and listening – is to test one’s ability to recognize phonemes by using minimal pairs. In the following exercises students will have an opportunity to test themselves on several different English phonemes. The first set p/b may be especially useful for Arabic speakers because /p/ and /b/ are not separate phonemes in Arabic. For the same reason, the second set, /l/ and /r/ may be challenging for speakers of Chinese, Korean, Japanese and other Asian languages. The last set /b/ and /v/ can aid Spanish speakers. Students don’t have to know anything about phonemes and minimal pairs to enjoy the exercises and benefit from them. Each of the three units contains practice of the sounds in initial. middle and final positions.

Click the buttons to choose the sounds you would like to practice. To quit an exercise and return to this page, just close the tab.