Speech error patterns in Cantonese-speaking children with cleft palate

Abstract

The subjects were seven Cantonese-speaking children with repaired cleft palate, aged between 3;2 and 10;2. Speech samples were obtained by use of two word lists. Error patterns were described by use of a detailed analysis based on perceptual judgements. A 'confusion matrix' was constructed for each subject to illustrate the relative frequency of error type. The results showed high within-subject and across-subject variability. The data partially support findings from other languages, for example, showing posterior placement for alveolar targets. However, some language-specific errors were identified, such as initial consonant deletion. Four possible explanations for the data are discussed.