Phonological Processes - Quick Reference - Sound Error Patterns and Elimination Ages

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia

Phonological processes are recurring sound-error patterns used by typically developing children to simplify speech during early language learning. A phonological disorder is present when these patterns persist past the age when most children stop using them, or when the substitutions are markedly different from expected development. The resource summarizes major process categories—substitution, assimilation, and syllable structure—providing definitions, example words, and typical ages of elimination to support quick recognition and clinical assessment.

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Phonological Processes

Substitution Processes

Assimilation Processes

Syllable Structure Processes

# PHONOLOGICAL PROCESSES Phonological processes are patterns of sound errors that typically developing children use to simplify speechas they are learning to talk.A phonological disorder occurs when phonological processes persist beyond the agewhen most typically developing children have stopped using them or when the processes used are muchdifferent than what would be expected. | SUBSTITUTION | Definition | Example | Age of elimination | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Backing | When alveolar sounds(t,d,n,s,z)are substituted with velar
sounds (k,g,ng)or palatal sounds (ch,j,sh,zsh). | "cape"for"tape"
"she"for "sea" | Usually seen in more severe
phonological delays | | Fronting | When velar sounds(k,g,ng)or palatal sounds(ch,j,sh,zsh)
are substituted with alveolar sounds(t,d,n,s,z). | "dough"for"go"
"Sue"for"shoe" | k,g,ng=3 yrs.old
ch,j,sh,zsh=5yrs.old | | Stopping | When a fricative(h,f,v,sh,s,z,th)or affricate(ch,j)is
substituted with a stop consonant (p,b,t,d,k,g). | "pan"for "fan"
"dump"for "ump" | h,f,s=3 yrs;v,z=3.5yrs;
sh,ch,j=4 yrs;th=5yrs. | | Affrication | When a stop or fricative sound(p,b,t,d,k,g,h,f,v,sh,s,
z,th)is substituted with an affricate sound(ch,j). | "joor"for "door"
"chi"for "see" | 3 yrs.old | | Deaffrication | When an affricate(ch,j)is substituted with a stop or
fricative(p,b,t,d,k,g,h,f,v,sh,s,z,th). | "dog"for "jog"
"sips"for “chips” | 4 yrs.old | | Alveolarization | When a sound made with the lips or teeth(p,b,m,w,f,v,th)
is substituted with an alveolar sound(t,d,n,I,s,z). | "new"for "moo"
"sick"for "thick" | 5 yrs.old | | Depalatalization | When a palatal sound(y,ch,j,sh,zsh)is substituted with an
alveolar stop or fricative (t,d,s,z). | "fit"for "fish"
"sip"for "chip" | 5 yrs.old | | Gliding | When ther sound becomes a/w/,and /I/becomes a/w/
or y sound. | "wabbit"for "rabbit"
"yeyo"for "yello" | 5 yrs.old | | Vowelization | When the/l/or the er sounds are replaced with a vowel. | “appo"for “apple”
"papuh"for "paper" | 5 yrs.old | | Labialization | When a tongue tip sound (t,d,n,I,s,z,th)is substituted
with a labial sound(p,b,m,w,f,v). | "pie"for"tie"
"fumb"for"thumb" | t,d,n,I,s,z=4 yrs.
th=6yrs.old | | ASSIMILATION | Definition | Example | Age of elimination | | Denasalization | When a nasal sound(m,n,ng)is substituted with a nonnasal
sound (b,d,g). | "boo"for "moo"
"doze"for "nose" | 2.5 yrs old | | Reduplication | When a complete or incomplete syllable is repeated. | "baba"for "bottle"
"wawa"for "water" | 3 yrs.old | | Assimlation | When a consonant sound starts to sound like another
sound in the word. | "bub"for"bus"
"yay"for "neigh" | 3 yrs.old | | Voicing | When a voiceless consonant in the beginning of a word or
syllable(like k,f)is substituted with a voiced sound(like g,v). | “gomb"for“comb”
"vood"for "food" | 3 yrs.old | | Devoicing | When a voiced consonant at the end of a word(like d,g)is
substituted with a voiceless consonant (like t,k). | "mat"for "mad"
"pick"for“pig” | 3 yrs.old | | Coalescence | When two phonemes are substituted with a different
phoneme that still has similar features. | "foon"for"spoon"
"sour"for "flour" | 6 yrs.old | | SYLLABLE STRUCTURE | Definition | Example | Age of elimination | | nitial Consonant Deletion | When the initialconsonant in a word is left off. | "unny"for "bunny"
"oat"for "goat" | Usually seen in more severe
phonological delays | | Final Consonant Deletion | When the final consonant in a word is left off. | "toe"for “toad”
"duh"for "duck" | 3 yrs.old | | Weak Syllable Deletion | When the weak syllable in a word is left off. | "nana"for"banana"
"jamas"for"pajamas" | 4 yrs.old | | Cluster R

FAQs

What distinguishes typical phonological processes from a phonological disorder?

Phonological processes are expected patterns of sound simplification during speech development. They become a phonological disorder when they persist beyond the usual elimination age or when the pattern differs substantially from what is expected.

What are substitution processes in this resource?

Substitution processes describe specific sound changes, such as backing, fronting, stopping, affrication, and related patterns. Each entry includes a definition, examples, and typical age of elimination.

How are assimilation and syllable structure processes presented?

Assimilation covers changes where sounds become more like neighboring sounds (e.g., denasalization, reduplication, voicing/devoicing). Syllable structure processes address deletions and cluster reductions, again with definitions, examples, and elimination ages.

Oct 12, 2026

Uploaded by Aurelia