Data Analsysis
1. 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.
2. 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]
a. Using the data below, work out the rule that this child is following for consonant clusters with /l/ and /r/.
b. Predict this child’s pronunciation of blue, flag and shrub.
Adult form Child’s form
