Elision

Course            : Phonetic

Sub Topic       : Elision

Definition:

The term elision describes the disappearance / omission of a sound.

            Example:

- next week (the /t/ in next is generally elided or omitted, /neks wi:k/)

Rules in Elision

1. Elision of /t/ and /d/ when combined with a consonant

Example:

-          next day                       (/t/ elided between /ks/ and /d/, pronounced /nεks deІ/)

-          stopped frying              (/d/ elided between /p/ and /f/, pronounced /stap `fraIIŋ/)

-          carved statuette           (/d/ elided between /v/ and /st/, pronounced / karv stætju`et)

2. Simplified complex consonant

Example:

-          acts                  (/ækts/ can be simplified /æks/)

-          text                   (/tekts/ can be simplified /teks/)

3. Elision of /ə/ in unstressed syllables

Example:

-          tonight             /t(e)n`aIt/

-          police               /p(ə)l`is/

-          interesting        /`Int(ə)rֽεstIŋ/

4. Elision of /v/ in of  before consonant

Example:

-          waste of time               /weIst   taIm/

friend of mine              /frεnd   main/