The phonological process of devoicing occurs when children replace voiced sounds, like /b/ or /d/, at the end of words with voiceless ones, such as /p/ or /t/. For example, a child may say “bak” instead of “bag.” This process helps simplify speech as children learn to articulate.
Typically, voiced sounds involve vocal cord vibration, while voiceless ones do not. Children usually outgrow this pattern by age four, but if it persists, speech therapy may be needed to improve clarity and correct sound production.
Here is a table of possible examples of devoicing:
| Voiced Sound | Voiceless Equivalent | Example of Devoicing | Devoiced Word |
|---|---|---|---|
| /b/ | /p/ | “Web” → “Wep” | Wep |
| /d/ | /t/ | “Bed” → “Bet” | Bet |
| /g/ | /k/ | “Bag” → “Bak” | Bak |
| /z/ | /s/ | “Buzz” → “Bus” | Bus |
| /v/ | /f/ | “Save” → “Safe” | Safe |
Age and Cross-Linguistic Variations
Devoicing is common until age four, though it also continues in languages like German and Russian. Children usually begin suppressing devoicing by age three, but if it continues well beyond this point, then they may need speech therapy to address the issue.
Impact on Speech Clarity
Devoicing can reduce speech clarity, making words harder to understand. For example, when “bag” becomes “bak,” listeners might struggle to interpret the child’s speech. Miscommunication arises when devoicing persists and is not addressed as children develop. Speech therapy may be necessary to improve clarity and correct speech patterns.
Therapy Options for Devoicing
It’s important not to overemphasize final voiced sounds in speech therapy, as this can cause children to add an intrusive schwa (a soft “uh” sound) at the end of words. For instance, when trying to emphasize the /g/ sound in “bag,” a child might say “bag-uh” instead. Rather than stressing the final sound, you can model vowel prolongation by stretching the vowel in the word. For example, saying “baaaag” encourages correct pronunciation while avoiding the addition of an unnecessary sound.
Here are detailed explanations of some effective treatment options for addressing devoicing:
- Minimal Pairs: This strategy involves practicing words that differ by only one sound (e.g., “pat” vs. “bat”). By repeatedly comparing these words, children can learn to distinguish between voiced and voiceless sounds, improving their ability to produce the correct sound in speech.
- Cycles Approach: Focuses on treating specific phonological patterns over a set period. During each cycle, the child targets different sound errors (like devoicing), which helps gradually improve speech accuracy through consistent exposure and practice.
- Auditory Bombardment: Children listen to multiple words that contain voiced sounds to reinforce proper pronunciation. This technique strengthens auditory discrimination by increasing their exposure to the correct sound, aiding in clearer speech production.
- Multi-Oppositions Approach: Addresses multiple speech sound errors at once. For devoicing, a child might work on several pairs of sounds (e.g., /b/, /d/, /g/) to simultaneously correct related issues. This comprehensive approach helps improve overall speech intelligibility more quickly.
These methods, when tailored to the child’s needs, can effectively address devoicing and improve speech clarity.
Nanette Cote is an ASHA certified speech pathologist, published author, and private practice business owner with 30 years experience.
