Phonological Processes in Typically Developing Kannada Speaking Children

Abstract

The present study investigated the various phonological processes occurring in 2.6- 3 year old typically developing Kannada speaking children. 8 children, i.e., 4 boys & 4 girls served as subjects. 50 simple Kannada words, which commonly occur in the utterances of normal young children, were selected for the study. These target words were picturized and were used to elicit the target response from the subjects. The responses were audio recorded and the data obtained were transcribed using IPA transcription. Sound by sound analysis was carried out to identify various phonological processes. The results indicated that out of the 12 processes observed, none of the phonological processes qualified as a significant one in the speech of children in the age group of 2.6 to 3 years. However, the most commonly seen processes were final vowel deletion, retroflex fronting, /h/ deletion etc. This study indicates that most of the phonemes in Kannada including fricatives and trills are achieved by 3 years of age and this warrants revision of our existing norms on articulation development. The results also expand our understanding of child phonology in the critical early language learning period.