What is a key feature of the phonological system that distinguishes English from Spanish for native speakers?

What is a key feature of the phonological system that distinguishes English from Spanish for native speakers?

• A. The use of multiple negations
• B. The presence of specific phonemes like /f/
• C. Sound length in vowel pronunciation
• D. The use of auxiliary verbs

Answer: (B)

The key feature of the phonological system that distinguishes English from Spanish for native speakers is the presence of specific phonemes such as /f/. In English, phonemes like /f/, /v/, and /θ/ (the "th" in "think") are considered distinctive sounds that can change the meaning of words. These phonemes are not present in the same way in Spanish, which can lead to difficulty for native Spanish speakers when learning English pronunciation. This distinction can create challenges in areas such as speech perception and production, where the differences in phoneme availability can affect communication and spelling patterns. Other options, while relevant to language structure, do not highlight phonological differences as clearly as the presence of specific phonemes, which is critical for understanding how these two languages function at a sound level.

The key feature of the phonological system that distinguishes English from Spanish for native speakers is the presence of specific phonemes such as /f/. In English, phonemes like /f/, /v/, and /θ/ (the "th" in "think") are considered distinctive sounds that can change the meaning of words. These phonemes are not present in the same way in Spanish, which can lead to difficulty for native Spanish speakers when learning English pronunciation. This distinction can create challenges in areas such as speech perception and production, where the differences in phoneme availability can affect communication and spelling patterns.

Other options, while relevant to language structure, do not highlight phonological differences as clearly as the presence of specific phonemes, which is critical for understanding how these two languages function at a sound level.