Consonants /ð/ versus /ʤ/, 15 pairs     [themgem.html]

The /ð/ sound is spelled with <th>. The /ʤ/ sound is spelled with <ge>, <dge> or <j>.

This is a contrast between a dental fricative and an affricate, both voiced and close together in the mouth. Nevertheless, the contrast does not cause problems.

The mean density value is 0.7%. The list makes 11 semantic distinctions, a loading of 73%.

 	
burthen burgeon 
  burthened burgeoned 
  burthening burgeoning 
  burthens burgeons 
lather larger 
leather ledger
  leathers ledgers
than Jan 
thee G 
them gem 
then gen 
these G's 
they J 
they jay
though Jo 

John Higgins, Shaftesbury, November 2010.