What is free variation?

Definition
	Free variation is the interchangeable relationship between two phones, in which the phones may substitute for one another in the same environment without causing a change in meaning.

Discussion
	Free variation may occur between allophones or phonemes.

Examples (English)
	In utterance-final position, there is free variation between unreleased and aspirated plosives, as demonstrated below: [hQt\|] ‘hat’ [hQtH] ‘hat’
	In the word ‘data’, there is free variation between the phonemes /eJ/ and /Q/, as demonstrated below: [deJR«] ‘data’ [dQR«] ‘data’

See also
	What is contrast in identical environments? What is contrast in analogous environments? What is complementary distribution?

Context for this page:

Concept module: free variation
In overview module: Glossary (Linguistics): F
In modular book: Glossary of linguistic terms, by Eugene E. Loos (general editor), Susan Anderson (editor), Dwight H., Day, Jr. (editor), Paul C. Jordan (editor), and J. Douglas Wingate (editor)
In bookshelf: Linguistics

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 5.0 published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 2003. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 5 January 2004

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