Phonetics And Phonology Questions
Tone sandhi in child phonology refers to the phenomenon where the tone of a syllable changes when it is produced in a specific phonetic context. This process is observed in many tonal languages and is influenced by the surrounding tones or syllables.
During the early stages of language acquisition, children may simplify the production of tones by applying tone sandhi rules. These rules can vary depending on the specific language and dialect being acquired.
One common example of tone sandhi in child phonology is the neutralization of tone contrasts. Children may simplify the tonal system by producing all syllables with the same tone, disregarding the original tonal distinctions. This simplification allows children to focus on other aspects of language development, such as segmental phonemes and grammatical structures.
Another aspect of tone sandhi in child phonology is the influence of neighboring tones. Children may modify the tone of a syllable based on the tones of the surrounding syllables. For example, if a syllable with a high tone is followed by a syllable with a low tone, the child may produce the high tone syllable with a low tone as well. This assimilation of tones simplifies the production process for the child.
Overall, tone sandhi in child phonology involves the simplification and modification of tones during the early stages of language acquisition. As children develop their phonological skills, they gradually acquire the accurate production of tones based on the specific rules and patterns of their language.