Syllable Reduction; Bridges

Syllable reduction happens when a syllable in a word with two or more syllables is deleted.  The deletion usually happens in the unstressed syllable.  An example may be a child saying "med-cine" for "medicine" as my sister used to say, or "puter" for "computer."  It is important to note that a child can produce all the sounds in the word so this is not an articulation problem per se.  Rather, this what experts call a "phonological process" whereby a child produces a different "rule" when saying words; it is a pattern of errors.  In the case of syllable reduction, the "rule" the child is applying is to reduce the number of syllables in a word.

Since Pittsburgh has so many bridges, many with multiple syllables in their names, I thought it would be a good idea to have your child practice saying the names of the bridges.  To cue your child to stop using syllable reduction, cue her by telling her to "say all the sounds in the word."  If she is older, you may cue her more directly by telling her to "say all the syllables in the word."  It helps if you say the words first, being sure to emphasize all the syllables.  Tapping your hand along with the syllables helps.

Below are pictures of Pittsburgh bridges to practice.

"Smith-field Street Bridge"

"Pan-han-dle Bridge"

"Lib-er-ty Bridge"

 

 "Bir-ming-ham Bridge"

"Hot Met-al Bridge"

 

 "Home-stead Grays Bridge"

 

"Ro-ber-to Cle-men-te Bridge"

 

 "Fort Du-quesne Bridge"

 

 "An-dy War-hol Bridge"

 

 "Ra-chel Car-son Bridge"

"Vet-er-ans Bridge"

 

 "Da-vid Mc-Col-lough Bridge"

 "Thir-ti-eth Street Bridge"

 "Wash-ing-ton Cross-ing Bridge"

If syllable reduction persists, gently confront your child with the error.  For example, if she says "Wash-ton Bridge" for "Washington Bridge," tell her: "You said 'Wash-ton.  You need to say 'Wash-ing-ton.'"  Ask her to repeat the parts of the word after you slowly: "Wash.  Ing.  Ton."

Reference: All images were retrieved from the world wide web in 1/26/14 from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridges_of_Pittsburgh