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An essential property of the phoneme is that it functions contrastively. We know that there are two phonemes /f/ and /v/ in English because they are the only basis of the contrast in meaning between the forms fine and vine.If we substitute one sound for another in a word and there is a change in meaning, then the two sounds represent different phonemes. We say that the sounds substituted for each other are in a relation of opposition, because the substitution leads to the creation of a new word, with a new meaning. Another word for the process of substitution is commutation.When the sounds in any two words (such as fine/vine, or pat/bat, or nose/hose and so on) are identical, except for a contrast in one phoneme occurring in the same position within the word, then the two words are described as a minimal pair. Other examples of minimal pairs: fan/van, site/side, near/tear, etc. Finding as many minimal pairs by applying the commutation (substitution) procedure is the basis of the process of identification of the total inventory of phonemes in a given language. Sounds are not universally opposable: for example, the Arabs cannot distinguish /p/ from /b/ and /f/ from /v/. To their ear, patand bat, or fine and vine are all the same, so they cannot establish a difference in meaning in suchlike pairs. Similarly, the Japanese have difficulties distinguishing /r/ from /l/, and cannot pronounce /l/.When more than two words are differentiated, each one from the others, by changing one phoneme occurring in the same position within them, then we speak of a minimal set. Remember that, whenwe compare two forms, we take into the consideration the phonetic transcription, not the spelling of the words in question. We compare sounds, not letters.