Minimal Pairs H+!H* vs. H+L* in German

 

Sound file with three "minimal pairs"

 

Context 1:

(to a young child) Du brauchst keine Angst zu haben. 'You don't have to worry.'

Es sind nur SCHAUspieler. 'They are only actors.'

H+!H*

 

Context 2:

(to an older child) Du weißt doch, dass in Filmen nichts echt ist. 'Come on, you know that films aren't real.'

Es sind nur SCHAUspieler. 'They are only actors.'

H+L*

 

Context 3:

Nun erZÄHle doch mal. (neutral, polite) 'Then tell me about it.'

H+!H*

 

Context 4:

Nun erZÄHle doch mal. (condescending, soothing) 'Just tell me about it.'

H+L*

 

Context 5:

Das war ja geNIAL von Dir. (non-ironic) 'You did it really well.'

H+!H*

 

Context 6:

Das war ja geNIAL von Dir. (ironic) 'You did it really well.'

H+L*