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Consonants /g/ versus /j/, 37 pairs     

The /g/ sound is spelled with <g> throughout. The /j/ sound is spelled <y> and is implicitly <u> in use.

The contrast only occurs initially in a small number of words, and is between a velar stop and a palatal semivowel, both voiced. In spite of the closeness of the tongue position, it does not cause any problems.

The mean density value is 0.8%. The list makes 24 semantic distinctions, a loading of 65%.

 	
gait Yate 	
gall yawl
  galls yawls
gamma yammer
  gammas yammers
gap yap
  gaps yaps
  gapped yapped
gate Yate
gaud yawed
Gaul yawl
  Gauls yawls
gauze yaws
gawk York 
gay yea
  gays yeas
gear year
  gears years
geld yelled
get yet
ghee ye
gob yob
  gobs yobs
goo you
Goole you'll
goose use
gore yaw
  gores yaws
  gored yawed
gore yore
gore your
  gores yours
got yacht
guard yard
  guards yards
guess yes
  guesses yeses

Credit: John Higgins