ELABORATIONS 2022/2023
3 major processes
-Syllable Structure Process
-Substitution Process
-Assimilation Process
Syllable Structure Process
A process that results in a change to the syllable structure of the word:
1. final consonant deletion
2. cluster reduction
3. unstressed syllable deletion
4. reduplication
5. epenthesis
1. Final Consonant Deletion
Omission of a final singleton consonant in a word or deletion of all members of a final
consonant cluster. An easier way to say this: removing the coda.
/dag/ --> [da]
/d3us/ --> [d3u]
/kip/ --> [ki]
NOT /dags/ --> [dog] because part of the coda still exists.
2. Cluster Reduction
Deletion of one or more members of a consonant cluster in either syllable initial or
syllable final position.
/blaek/ --> [baek] (liquid is deleted, goes to the stop)
/dr3ss/ --> [d3ss] (liquid is deleted, goes to the stop)
crossing--> [kasing] (liquid is deleted, goes to the stop)
trousers --> [tausers] (liquid is deleted, goes to the stop)
stop--> [top] ( /s + STOP/ --> /STOP/)
straight --> [tate]? (liquid and s deleted)
hand --> [haen] ( /NASAL + VOICED STOP/-->/NASAL/ )
Onset Clusters (cluster reduction)
In typical development, the cluster that is deleted is often predictable.
Onset clusters:
/STOP + LIQUID/ --> /STOP/; green --> [gin]
/s + STOP/ --> /STOP/; spoon --> [pun]
/s + NASAL/ --> /NASAL/; snow -->[noʊ]
, Phonological Processes Quiz
ELABORATIONS 2022/2023
Coda Clusters (cluster reduction)
/LIQUID + STOP/ --> /STOP/; park -->[pɑk]
/LIQUID + NASAL/ --> /NASAL/; farm--> [fAm]
/NASAL + VOICELESS STOP/ --> /STOP/; tent --> [tɛt]
/NASAL + VOICED STOP/-->/NASAL/; hand-->[hæn]
3. Unstressed Syllable Deletion
Omission of unstressed syllable or syllables from multi-syllabic words. (final syllable is
rarely deleted)
Tomato --> [mato]
Banana --> [nana]
Telephone --> [tephone]
4. Reduplication
Total or partial repetition of a syllable or target word.
Total reduplication --> [baba] 'bottle'
[momodaidai] --> 'motorcycle'
Partial reduplication --> [wawu] 'water'
5. Epenthesis
Insertion of a segment that is not part of the target form. Often, it is the unstressed
vowel, schwa.
green --> [gəwin]
cup --> [[kʌpə]
Substitution Process
One class of sound is replaced by another class of sound.
1. Stopping
2. Depalatalization
3. Velar Fronting
4. Deaffrication
5. Gliding
6. Vocalization
1. Stopping
Fricatives or affricates replaced by stops. (usually homorganic)
soap --> [toʊp]
chair --> [tɛʊ]
fun --> [pʌn]
van --> [paen]
shoe --> [tu] (this is also an example of depalatalization)
2. Depalatalization