Question regarding linguistics and some use of phonetics symbols

Question

Hi the question is linked too a google doc if u can explain it would be great

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tAch_WIQ0klLK6wPbk5OV10SKyLUVjAfbNMikhgJy7Q/edit?usp=sharing

Answer 1

The question is asking you to identify the relationship between two sounds [s] and [ʃ], which are described as in "complementary distribution."

Complementary distribution means that the two sounds occur as complements: one occurs in one set of circumstances, the other occurs in all the other circumstances. Looking at the words provided we can divide the occurrences into two groups:

[s] occurs in

1. [kesa]
2. [osoi]
3. [ʃimasu]
4. [kusaru]
5. [ase]
6. [miso]

[ʃ] occurs in

1. [aʃita]
2. [ʃimasu]
3. [muʃi]
4. [toʃi]

If you notice, [ʃ] only appears in front of [i], whereas [s] appears before every other vowel: [a], [e], [o], [u].

To answer the question, you need to decide whether it is easier to create a rule wherein [s] > [ʃ] before [i] or to create a rule wherein [ʃ] > [s] before [a], [e], [o], [u].

One of those is far likelier—and far easier to explain phonologically—than the other.