Which statement best describes cluster reduction in child phonology?

• A. Deletion of one or more syllables in a multisyllabic word
• B. Deletion of all vowels in a word
• C. Deletion of some but not all consonants in a cluster
• D. Addition of a consonant between two consonants

Answer: (C)

Cluster reduction happens when a child simplifies a consonant cluster by deleting one or more consonants, usually leaving a simpler sequence rather than removing the entire cluster. This means some, but not all, consonants in the cluster are dropped. For example, the word stop can become top by dropping the initial s from the st cluster, or spoon can become poon by dropping the initial s. This describes deletion of some but not all consonants in a cluster. It’s different from deleting vowels or entire syllables, and it’s not about adding sounds between letters (which is epenthesis).