CSDIG 502: Phonological Process

What is the method of classifying speech sounds in any language?

Using a set of binary characteristics.

What is a sonorant in speech sound classification?

A sound where the vocal tract shape allows for spontaneous voicing.

What is the opposite of a sonorant?

An obstruent.

What does vocalic refer to in speech sounds?

A sound where the degree of vocal tract constriction does not exceed that of /i/ or /u/.

What does consonantal indicate in speech sound classification?

A sound that involves definite constriction of the vocal tract.

Do Vowels fall under Continuant?

No, they are not Continuant!

Strident

Generate intense noise.

- /s/ and /z/ since they are very noisy.

What are phonological processes?

Simplification of a sound class in which target sounds are systematically deleted or substituted.

What is another name for phonological processes?

Phonological patterns.

When are phonological processes typically observed?

During speech development in children.

What happens to phonological processes as children age?

They should eventually be eliminated with age and as speech develops.

What is the age range during which there is a decline in the usage of phonological processes?

Between 2.5 and 4 years old.

Syllable structure processes

Sound changes that affect the syllable structure of a word.

-Cluster reduction

-Weak-syllable deletion

-Final-consonant deletion

Substitution processes

One sound is substituted for another sound in a systematic way.

-Fronting

-Stopping

-Gliding

-Deaffrication

Assimilation processes

One sound becomes the same or similar to another sound in the word.

-Velar assimilation

-Nasal assimilation

-Labial assimilation

- Liquid assimilation

Velar Assimilation

A non-velar sound changes to a

velar sound

example: /kæk/ for "tack"

Likely age of elimination: 3

Nasal Assimilation

A non-nasal sound changes to a nasal sound

Example: /mʌni/ for "funny"

Likely age of elimination: 3

Labial Assimilation

A non-labial sound changes to a

labial sound

Explain: /bap/ for "top"

Likely age of elimination: 3

Liquid Assimilation

A non-liquid sound changes to a

liquid sound

Explain: /lɛloʊ/ for yellow

Likely age of elimination: 3

Fronting

A sound made in the back

of the mouth is replaced

with a sound made in the

front.

Example: /tæt/ for "cat"

Likely age of elimination: 4

Stopping

A fricative and/or an

affricate is replaced with a

stop sound.

Explain: /pʌn/ for "fun" or /baɪn/ for "vine"

Likely age of elimination: /f, s/ — 3

/z, v/ — 4 /ʃ/, /tʃ/, /dʒ/, /ð/ — 5

Gliding

A liquid (/ɹ/, /l/) is replaced

with a glide (/w/, /j/).

Explain: /wæbɪt/ for "rabbit" and /jɛjo/ for "yellow"

Likely age of elimination: 6-7

Deaffrication

An affricate is replaced with a fricative.

Example: /ʃɪp/ for "chip"

Likely age of elimination: 4

Cluster reduction

A consonant cluster is simplified into a single consonant.

Example: /tɔp/ for "stop" /kin/ for "clean"

Likely age of elimination: With /s/ — 5 Without /s/ — 4

Weak-syllable deletion

An unstressed or a weak syllable in a word is deleted.

Example: /nænə/ for "banana" /teɪto/ for "potato"

Likely age of elimination: 4

Final-consonant deletion

The final consonant of a word is deleted.

Example: /bʌ/ for "bus"

Likely age of elimination: 3

What is cluster reduction in speech development?

A phonological process where children simplify consonant clusters by omitting one or more consonants.

What does gliding refer to in speech errors?

A phonological process where children replace liquid consonants (like 'l' and 'r') with glide consonants (like 'w' and 'y').

What is final consonant deletion?

A phonological process where children omit the final consonant of a word, making it easier to pronounce.

What is fronting in speech errors?

A phonological process where children replace back consonants (like 'k' and 'g') with front consonants (like 't' and 'd').

What is stopping in speech development?

A phonological process where children replace fricative sounds (like 's' and 'f') with stop consonants (like 't' and 'p').

At what age do children typically show a decline in the usage of phonological processes?

Between 2.5 and 4 years old.

What is the first criterion for identifying a phonological process?

The error must simplify the target.

Give an example of a phonological error that simplifies the target.

/sʌnʃɑɪn/→[sʌnsɑɪn] is an example of simplification.

What does it mean for an error to be phonemic?

An error must be phonemic, meaning it changes the phoneme, not just a distortion.

Provide an example of a non-phonemic error.

/sʌnʃɑɪn/→[tʌntɑɪn] is a phonemic error, while [s̪ʌnʃ̪ɑɪn] is a distortion.

What is the significance of predictability in phonological errors?

Errors should be predictable even if not consistent, such as /sʌnʃɑɪn/→[tʌntɑɪn] and /sʌntæn/→[tʌntæn].

What is the frequency requirement for a phonological error to be considered significant?

The error must occur with sufficient frequency, specifically more than 20% of the time.

What is a common characteristic of speech production distortions?

Production is compromised, primarily as substitutions, but sound remains recognizable as a phoneme.

What is a frontal lisp?

A type of distortion where the tongue is positioned too far forward, affecting speech clarity.

What is dentalization in speech distortions?

A distortion where sounds are produced with the tongue against the teeth.

What is lateralization in speech?

A distortion characterized by lateral air emission, often occurring on strident sounds.

What does nasalization refer to in speech distortions?

Nasal air emission occurring on non-nasal sounds or vowels, often associated with cleft palate or VPI.

What is denasalization?

The production of nasal consonants with a hyponasal quality, resulting in a lack of normal nasal resonance.

What is a pharyngeal fricative?

A distortion involving constriction of the velopharyngeal area, often referred to as 'cleft palate speech.'