What is the term for the omission of a sound in connected speech, often after similar sounds such as t + d?

What is the term for the omission of a sound in connected speech, often after similar sounds such as t + d?

• A. Elision
• B. Assimilation
• C. Liaison
• D. Elide

Answer: (A)

Elision is the omission of a sound in connected speech. In fast, casual speech, speakers drop a sound to make pronunciation quicker, especially in consonant clusters when two similar sounds come together. For example, when a phrase ends with a t and the next word begins with a d, the t may be left out, so “next day” can sound like “nex day.” This dropping of a sound is elision. Assimilation would involve one sound changing to become more like a neighboring sound, not simply disappearing. Liaison is about linking sounds across word boundaries to smooth a transition, which is a different process. The verb form elide means to omit, but the process itself is called elision.

Elision is the omission of a sound in connected speech. In fast, casual speech, speakers drop a sound to make pronunciation quicker, especially in consonant clusters when two similar sounds come together. For example, when a phrase ends with a t and the next word begins with a d, the t may be left out, so “next day” can sound like “nex day.” This dropping of a sound is elision. Assimilation would involve one sound changing to become more like a neighboring sound, not simply disappearing. Liaison is about linking sounds across word boundaries to smooth a transition, which is a different process. The verb form elide means to omit, but the process itself is called elision.