Phonological Processes

What are phonological processes?

Predictable ways kids simplify words while developing speech.

• Patterns are fairly consistent

• Results in simplification, like reducing a syllable

What are the phonological processes?

1. Syllable Structure Processes

2. Substitution Processes

3. Assimilation Processes

What consists of syllable structure processes?

1. Syllable deletion

2. Reduplication

3. Epenthesis

4. Consonant deletion (initial + final)

5. Cluster processes (deletion + reduction)

What consists of substitution processes?

1. Stopping

2. Fronting

3. Backing

4. Palatalization

5. Depalatalization

6. Affrication

7. Deaffrication

8. Gliding

9. Vocalization/vowelization

What consists of assimilation processes?

1. Assimilation

   1. Labial assimilation

   2. Alveolar assimilation

   3. Velar assimilation

   4. Nasal Assimilation

2. Voicing changes

3. Metathesis

Syllable structure processes

Processes involve changing the number or shape of syllables in words. Children use them to simplify speech 

Syllable deletion

1. A child removes an unstressed (weak) syllable in a word) 

2. Can happen before or after the stressed syllable 

3. Examples:

   1. “telephone” → /tɛfon/ 

   2. “banana” → /nænə/ 

Reduplication

1. A child repeats part or all of a syllable 

2. Types: 

   1. Duplication: A whole syllable is repeated 

      1. “Mommy” → /mama/ 

   2. Partial reduplication: Only part of the syllable is repeated (sound or vowel/consonant pattern)

      1. Bottle → /baba/

Initial consonant deletion

1. The first sound in the word is removed 

2. Example: “pig” → /ɪg/ 

Important: This is atypical / non-developmental (not common in normal speech development)

Final consonant deletion 

• Last sound in word is removed 

• Example: “pig” → “/pɪ/”

• Very common in early speech development 

Cluster reduction/deletion

1. When a word has a consonant cluster (2+ consonants together), one or more are removed.

2. “Spin” → /pɪn/ 

3. Cluster “sp” is simplified 

What is stopping?

Fricatives or affricates → stops (airflow gets completely blocked)

Stops (common changes)

• Fricatives → stops

• Affricates → stops

Common changes:

• /f/ → /p/

• /v/ → /b/

• /θ/ → /t/

• /ð/ → /d/

• /s/ → /t/

• /z/ → /d/

• /ʃ/ → /t/

• /ʒ/ → /d/

• /tʃ/ → /t/

• /dʒ/ → /d/

What is fronting

Sounds made in the back of the mouth → moved to the front

Fronting (common changes)

• /k/ → /t/

• /g/ → /d/

• /ŋ/ → /n/

• /ʃ/ → /s/ (sometimes)

What is backing?

Sounds made in the front → moved to the back of the mouth

Backing (common changes)

Alveolars → Velars

• /t/ → /k/

• /d/ → /g/

• /s/ → /ʃ/ or /k/

• /z/ → /g/ or /ʒ/

What is palatalization

Sounds become closer to /j/, ʃ, tʃ, dʒ/ (palatal sounds)

Palatalization (common changes)

Alveolars → palatal

• /s/ → /ʃ/

• /z/ → /ʒ/

• /t/ → /tʃ/

• /d/ → /dʒ/

What is depalatalization ?

Palatal sounds → non-palatal (usually alveolar)

Depalatalization (common changes)

/ʃ, ʒ, tʃ, dʒ/ → /s, z, t, d/

What is affrication?

Fricatives → affricates

Affrication (common changes)

• /s/ → /tʃ/

• /z/ → /dʒ/

What is deaffrication?

Affricates → fricatives

Deaffrication (common changes)

• /tʃ/ → /ʃ/

• /dʒ/ → /ʒ/

What is gliding?

Liquids (/l/, /r/) → glides (/w/, /j/)

Gliding (common changes)

• /r/ → /w/

• /l/ → /w/ or /j/

What is vocalization?

When a kid replaces a consonant (usually /l/ or /r/) with a vowel sound.

What does a vocalization/vowelization look like?

Instead of using a “hard” sound like L or R, they switch it to something like “uh,” “oo,” or “ah.”