Re: CHAT: minimum phonemes, was Re: vrindo

J. Barefoot wrote:
>That reminds me... Does anyone know what the lower bound for number of=20
>phonemes is for a natural language?
Nik Taylor already mentioned Rotokas has the lowest number known.

Let me just add a bit of theory.

For vowels, it is said that the lowest contrast of major vowel=20
features will always be in vowel height. Even if a language was=20
only two vowels, these vowels are more likely to be /a/ and /@/=20
rather than /i/ and /u/. Of course, a language with only one=20
vowel, contrasts in major vowel features are ruled out=20
altogether.

As for consonants, a language will always have obstruents. Look=20
at Rotokas for instance, from what Nik has posted, all but one=20
are obstruents. Also, the contrastive POAs are likely to be=20
labial vs coronal vs dorsal rather than anything else. Again,=20
look at Rotokas.

-kristian- 8)