NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

Which term describes the omission of sounds in speech?

1. Epenthesis

2. Elision

3. Discourse competence

4. Strategic competence

The correct answer is: Elision

The term that describes the omission of sounds in speech is elision. Elision is a linguistic phenomenon where certain sounds or syllables are either omitted or not articulated in spoken language, often for the sake of ease of pronunciation or fluency. This can happen in various contexts, such as when speakers slip over certain sounds in rapid speech or when certain syllables are not pronounced in informal conversation. Epenthesis refers to the addition of a sound within a word, rather than the omission of a sound. Discourse competence involves a speaker's ability to construct and understand coherent spoken or written communication, while strategic competence relates to the use of strategies to overcome communication difficulties in conversations. Each of these terms serves a distinct purpose in understanding language use, but they do not describe the specific phenomenon of omitting sounds as elision does.