Free variation
When we have a free choice of which allophone of a phoneme to use in a particular
situation, we say the two allophones are in free variation. It’s !ne to use either one.
For example, we usually say the phoneme /p/ this way: Our lips come together, air
pressure builds up behind our lips, and then we release the air with a little “pop.” But
when /p/ comes at the end of a word, we might say /p/ in a di"erent way: Our lips
come together, air pressure builds up behind our lips, and that’s all—no release. We
have a free choice of which kind of /p/ to use at the end of a word; either one is all
right.
Related Glossary Terms
Index
Section 2 - Some Very Basic Concepts of Phonology
Complementary distribution
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