Assignment 2: Data analysis
In normal everyday speech, many Americans pronounce some words containing /t/ or /d/ with a sound that is called alveolar flap (or tap). This is symbolised as [ɾ].
Using the American English data below, work out the rule that determines whether or not /t/ or /d/ become [ɾ] and briefly comment on how you arrived at this answer.
It is a good idea to use data examples to support your comment.
| writer | [raɪɾər] |
| write | [raɪt] |
| winter | [wɪntər] |
| time | [taɪm] |
| shelter | [ʃeltər] |
| hit Ann | [hɪɾ æn] |
| hit me | [hɪt mi:] |
| said Ann | [seɾ æn] |
| dime | [dɑɪm] |
| said Bob | [sed bɑb] |
Young children’s pronunciations often show a variety of rule-governed simplifications. One common process is called consonant cluster reduction, where the child simplifies a cluster of 2 consecutive consonants by deleting one of the consonants e.g. spit where [spɪt] → [pɪt]
Using the data below, work out the rule that this child is following for consonant clusters with /l/ and /r/.
Predict this child’s pronunciation of blue, flag and shrub.
| Adult form | Child’s form | |
| slug | [slʌg] | [lʌg] |
| three | [θri:] | [ri:] |
| frog | [frɒg] | [rɒg] |
| clap | [klæp] | [kæp] |
| brick | [brɪk] | [bɪk] |
| Please | [pli:z] | [pi:z] |
| tree | [tri:] | [ti:] |
| flip | [flɪp] | [lɪp] |
