complementary distribution
- noun
- /ˌkɒmplɪˈmɛntəri dɪsˈtrɪbjuːʃən/
- Specialized
:
distribución complementaria
- In linguistics, complementary distribution occurs when two sounds appear in distinctly different contexts without overlapping.
Examples
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When analyzing the data, we observed a clear example of complementary distribution between the two vowel sounds.
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The study of complementary distribution helps linguists understand how different phonemes are used in various languages.
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This is also the complementary distribution function for XK.
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The transect line (purple line on the map and on the horizontal axis of the graph) reveals a complementary distribution of species of carnivorous mammals and small monitor lizards.
Academic text (2003)
Synonyms
Two related sounds that occur in different positions in words and never in the same context
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'complementary' (acting to complete) and 'distribution' (arrangement or spread) give a general hint that two things occupy different but matching parts, so learners may infer a relation of non-overlap. However, the precise linguistic meaning—that related sounds occur in mutually exclusive environments—is technical and not fully predictable from the constituents alone, so partial knowledge but not full comprehension is likely for a B1 learner.
Etymology
Complementary distribution is like two puzzle pieces that fit different spaces. Here complementary means they fit together without overlap and distribution means where each piece appears, so the phrase describes two sounds that occur in different places and are never 'together'.
