Re: USAGE: Thorn vs Eth

Christophe Grandsire scripsit:

> Well, the simple fact that there isn't any minimal pair between /T/ and /D/,
A few: "thigh" vs. "thy" is the one usually given.  But certainly the
functional load is very low, as shown by this model:

Initial "th" is /D/ in closed-class words only;

Intervocalic "th" is /D/ except in words of Greek origin;

Final "th" is /D/ if a silent "e" follows, and in some pron. of "with";

All other "th" is /T/.

(Anglophones, I'd be interested to hear of exceptions.)

--
John Cowan   <jcowan@...>   http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
"One time I called in to the central system and started working on a big
thick 'sed' and 'awk' heavy duty data bashing script.  One of the geologists
came by, looked over my shoulder and said 'Oh, that happens to me too.
Try hanging up and phoning in again.'"  --Beverly Erlebacher

Replies