Theory of phonetics

2. [l] tends to be lost when preceded by [L].
For example, always ['LwIz], already [L'redI], all right [L'raIt].
3. Alveolar plosives are often elided in case the cluster is followed by another consonant.
For example, next day ['neks 'deI], just one ['GAs'wAn ], mashed potatoes ['mxS pq'teItEVz]
Examples of historical elision are also known. They are initial consonants in write, know, the medial consonant [t] in fasten, listen, whistle, castle.
While the elision is a very common process in connected speech, we also occasionally find sounds being inserted.
- When a word ends in a vowel, the so-called intrusive “r” is sometimes pronounced between the vowels.
For example, the idea of it [DJaI'dIqr qv It]
- The so-called linking “r” is a common example of insertion.
For example, a teacher of English [q'tJCqr qv 'INglIS]
- When the word-final vowel is a diphthong which glides to [i] such as [ai], [ei] the palatal sonorant [j] tends to be inserted.
For example, playing ['pleIjiN], crying ['kraIjiN]
- In case of the [V]-gliding diphthongs [EV], [aV] the bilabial sonorant [w] is sometimes inserted.
For example, growing ['grEVwIN], allowing [q'laVwIN]
By way of conclusion we may say that we understand the sound quality as a set of characteristics which are in constant interrelation and compensation. In case one of the features of a phoneme is lost there remain a sufficient number of characteristics of a phoneme and its status and function are not lost. Thus modifications of sounds in a speech chain are of allophonic character, that is they are realizations of allophones of phonemes.