A student pronouncing "sport" as [ɛ sport] is attempting to simplify a consonant cluster through which process?

The student pronouncing "sport" as [ɛ sport] is engaging in a process known as epenthesis. This phonological phenomenon occurs when an individual adds an unnecessary sound to a word to simplify its pronunciation or make it easier to articulate. In this case, the insertion of the vowel sound [ɛ] at the beginning of "sport" allows the student to avoid the consonant cluster present in the word, making it easier to pronounce for someone who may struggle with that cluster.

Epenthesis often commonly happens in the speech of learners or young children as they develop their pronunciation skills. It can also occur in various languages as speakers adapt foreign words. The addition of sounds can create smoother transitions in speech, allowing for easier verbalization of complex clusters.

Understanding this process highlights the challenges language learners face when grappling with consonant clusters, which can be particularly difficult depending on their native language's phonetic structure. Providing support around these pronunciation patterns can help facilitate better phonological awareness and speech production.