Distinctive feature

In linguistics, a distinctive feature is the most basic unit of phonological structure that distinguishes one sound from another within a language.

These feature categories in turn are further specified on the basis of the phonetic properties of the segments in question.

Vowels are distinguished by However, laryngoscopic studies suggest these features[citation needed] This system is given by Jakobson & Halle (1971, 3.6, 3.7).

[9] Distinctive features have also been used to distinguish proverbs from other types of language such as slogans, clichés, and aphorisms.

These include "major" categories such as Noun vs. Verb, but also other dimensions such as person and number, plurality, tense, and others.