What is Weak Syllable Deletion?

Weak Syllable Deletion (WSD), also called Syllable Reduction or Unstressed Syllable Deletion is a phonological process which typically assimilates within the third year, lasting up to the age of 4 years.

This process effects poly-syllabic words (words with more than one syllable such as basketball, caterpillar, temperature, furniture) and involves the deletion or omission of an unstressed syllable.

Examples of weak syllable deletion:

• Mississippi = miss-ippi

• above = buv

• umbrella = bella

• basketball = bah-ball

• potato = tay-doh

Please note: WSD may be present in a person’s speech as a dialectical difference rather than a phonological process.