You observe the following errors in a child's speech: "sweep" → [fip], "slip" → [fɪp]. What is the name of this error pattern?

You observe the following errors in a child's speech: "sweep" → [fip], "slip" → [fɪp]. What is the name of this error pattern?

• A. Neutralization
• B. Harmony
• C. Coalescence
• D. Simplification

Answer: (C)

Coalescence is when two adjacent sounds merge into a single sound that carries features from both. In these examples, the onset cluster at the start of sweep and slip is reduced to one consonant: the two-consonant onsets (the s- plus the following consonant) become a single fricative [f], giving forms like [fip] or [fɪp]. So the two original sounds fuse into one sound rather than one being dropped or the articulation simply neutralized. This kind of cluster-to-one-sound change is the hallmark of coalescent assimilation.

Coalescence is when two adjacent sounds merge into a single sound that carries features from both. In these examples, the onset cluster at the start of sweep and slip is reduced to one consonant: the two-consonant onsets (the s- plus the following consonant) become a single fricative [f], giving forms like [fip] or [fɪp]. So the two original sounds fuse into one sound rather than one being dropped or the articulation simply neutralized. This kind of cluster-to-one-sound change is the hallmark of coalescent assimilation.