The gliding phonological process is a common speech sound error in which /l/ and /r/ sounds are substituted for /w/ and /j/ sounds, because it involves the replacement of liquid sounds with glide sounds.
Examples of gliding speech are when children mean to say :
-
- “rabbit” but articulate it as “wabbit”
- “ladder” but articulate it as “wadder”.
Gliding in speech is common in English-speaking children and is usually eliminated by 5 years old as they develop their speech and language skills.
Speech and language therapists often work with children exhibiting the gliding phonological process past typical age where it dissapears to help them improve their articulation and pronunciation.
In this article, we will explore what is the gliding phonological process in detail, including gliding definition, age of elimination, impact on speech production, examples, when it is considered a disorder and speech therapy.
Goally team have a great quick overview that explains it well :
Do children outgrow gliding phonological process?
Many children do typically eliminate naturally gliding in speech by 5 years old as their speech develops and matures.
Some children may continue to exhibit these errors beyond the typical age range and may require additional support and intervention.
How to eliminate gliding phonological process?
The elimination of the gliding phonological process can be achieved through targeted gliding speech therapy interventions.
A speech-language pathologist will first make an assessment to confirm gliding in speech and then work with the child to improve their articulatory skills and correct their sound substitutions.
Gliding speech therapy may involve various techniques, such as :
- auditory discrimination exercises
- word repetition drills
The gliding speech therapy plan will be structured diffrently if the speech errors are consistent or inconsistent.
Parent Tip: we love this free gliding minimal pairs speech therapy resource kit and free “magical themed” gliding worksheets from The Pedi Speechie on Teachers Pay Teachers. These include all of the above in a single pack built by a clinical expert.
Consistent practice and reinforcement of correct sound production are key to eliminating gliding. With patience, dedication, and a personalised approach, the gliding phonological process can be effectively eliminated.
What are gliding examples ?
Gliding examples include pronouncing :
- “lizard” as “wizard.”
- “lion” as “yion”
- “rake” as “yake”
In these gliding phonological process examples, the /r/ sound is substituted with the /w/ sound, and the /l/ sound is substituted with the /j/ sound.
Accents such as Cockney or Estuary English are typical speech variations of English that include gliding speech. This process can lead to differences in pronunciation that are noticeable to speakers of other dialects or accents.
When is the phonological process of gliding considered a disorder?
Gliding speech is considered a disorder when it persists beyond the expected age range and significantly impacts a child’s speech intelligibility.
If a child continues to exhibit gliding beyond the age of 5 or 6 and it negatively affects their ability to communicate effectively, it may be a sign of a phonological disorder.
A speech-language pathologist can assess the child’s speech and provide a diagnosis, determining whether gliding speech therapy is necessary, and tailor an intervention strategy.
What is the impact of gliding on speech ?
The impact of gliding sounds in speech production can vary depending on the severity and frequency of the errors.
In mild cases, gliding may only slightly affect the intelligibility of a child’s speech, making it harder for others to understand certain words or sounds.
However, in more severe cases, gliding combined with other errors can significantly impact speech clarity, leading to difficulty communicating effectively.
Children with speech sound errors such as gliding may also face challenges in social interactions and academic settings due to potential misunderstandings caused by their speech. Early intervention and consistent speech therapy can greatly improve the long term outcomes.
What are some gliding minimal pairs words?
R vs W Minimal Pairs
Here is a short list of R vs W minimal pairs that you can use:
- Row – Woah
- Rag – Wag
- Red – Wed
- Rock – Walk
- Rut – What
- Rip – Whip
- Rate – Wait
- Run – Won
- Rest – West
- Rich – Witch
- Reel – Wheel
- Rock – Walk
L vs W Minimal Pairs
Here is a short list of L vs W minimal pairs that you can use:
- Lip – Whip
- Lake – Wake
- Lock – Wok
- Lake – Wait
- Light – White
- Low – Woah
- Lick – Wick
- Leave – Weave
- Late – Wait
- Lay – Way
What are other types of phonological processes?
Apart from gliding, there are several other types of phonological processes that can occur during a child’s speech development. These processes involve the alteration of sounds and can be observed in different linguistic contexts.
Other phonological processes include, for example, final consonant deletion, deaffrication, stopping, fronting or assimilation.
In conclusion, gliding is a common speech sound error observed in young children. While it is usually a normal part of early language learning, persistent or severe gliding can hinder speech intelligibility. Knowing when to expect the elimination of gliding can help you as a parent make a decision if you take your child for a speech therapy assessment.
