Which term means inserting additional sounds into words?

Which term means inserting additional sounds into words?

• A. Strategic competence
• B. Discourse competence
• C. Linguistic competence
• D. Epenthesis

Answer: (D)

Epenthesis is the process of inserting an extra sound into a word to make pronunciation easier or to fit the language’s sound patterns. A common instance is adding a short vowel between consonants in a cluster, creating an extra syllable, such as saying ath-uh-lete instead of a tight athlete. This helps both the speaker and listener by easing articulation and parsing the word. The other terms describe how language is used or known rather than a phonological change: strategic competence refers to using language effectively to achieve goals, discourse competence is about organizing and connecting speech in social interactions, and linguistic competence is the broader knowledge of a language’s structure.

Epenthesis is the process of inserting an extra sound into a word to make pronunciation easier or to fit the language’s sound patterns. A common instance is adding a short vowel between consonants in a cluster, creating an extra syllable, such as saying ath-uh-lete instead of a tight athlete. This helps both the speaker and listener by easing articulation and parsing the word.

The other terms describe how language is used or known rather than a phonological change: strategic competence refers to using language effectively to achieve goals, discourse competence is about organizing and connecting speech in social interactions, and linguistic competence is the broader knowledge of a language’s structure.