Words concluding with the voiced dental fricative, represented by the ‘th’ digraph as in ‘bathe’ or ‘smooth,’ constitute a distinct subset within the English lexicon. Examples include common words like ‘breathe,’ ‘loathe,’ and less frequent terms like ‘blithe.’ This phonetic feature distinguishes them from words ending with the voiceless dental fricative, as in ‘path’ or ‘myth.’
Distinguishing between these two sounds is crucial for clear pronunciation and comprehension in English. Mastery of this phonetic contrast contributes to speaker intelligibility and avoids potential miscommunication. Historically, the distribution and evolution of voiced and voiceless ‘th’ in final positions have been influenced by various linguistic processes, adding a layer of complexity to their study within the broader context of English phonology. This distinction also plays a role in the poetic and rhythmic qualities of the language, affecting rhyme and alliteration.
