A split in phonology is where a once identical phoneme diverges in different instances. A merger is the opposite: where two (or more) phonemes merge and become indistinguishable. In English, this happens most often with vowels, although not exclusively. See phonemic differentiation for more information.
Due to the wide geographic distribution of the English language and the number and variety of speakers, there are phonemic pairs which are distinguished in some accents and varieties, but considered identical in others.
Pages in category "Splits and mergers in English phonology"
The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total. This list may not reflect recent changes.
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- Phonological change
- Phonological history of English
- Phonological history of English close back vowels
- Phonological history of English close front vowels
- Phonological history of English consonant clusters
- Phonological history of English diphthongs
- Phonological history of English open back vowels
- Pronunciation of English ⟨a⟩
- Pronunciation of English ⟨wh⟩