Minimal Pair List Vowels 15 and 19, / ɔɪ / versus / eə / 18 pairs


   Minimal pair: Vowels 15 and 19, / ɔɪ / versus / eə / 18 pairs

The / ɔɪ / diphthong is spelled <oi> and <oy>. The / eə / diphthong is spelled <are>, <ear> or <air>.

This is a contrast between two diphthongs with different starting positions, different directions of movement and different lip-rounding. It is not a problem for learners.

The density figure is 2.3%. The set makes 10 semantic contrasts giving a loading of 56%.

boy bare
  boys bares 
boy bear
  boys bears
buoy bare    
  buoyed bared 
  buoys bares
buoy bear
  bouy bears  
coign cairn 
  coigns cairns 
coin cairn
  coins cairns  
Lloyd's lairds
poise pairs 
poise pears
toy tare
  toys tares