Elision

fr:Élision

An elision is the omission of a letter or a syllable in a word or phrase producing a more easily pronounced result. In some instances, the omitted letters are replaced by an apostrophe and form a contraction.

Elision can occur on both the orthographic and the phonetic level.

Examples

• French
  • L'avion décolle: If a singular noun beginning with a vowel is used with the definite article ('le' or 'la'), the 'e' or 'a' is elided.
• English
  • it's: It is or it has.
    • As distinct from the possessive its meaning 'belonging to it'.
  • you're: you are.
  • B'ham: Birmingham, pronounced bee-ham.
  • [wenzdei]: Wednesday.

Elision in Japanese

Elision is extremely common in the pronunciation of the Japanese language. Unvoiced consonants are frequently left unspoken. However, unlike French or English, Japanese does not show any orthographic evidence of elision. The process is purely phonetic, and varies considerably depending on the dialect or level of formality. A few examples (slightly exaggerated; apostrophes added to indicate elision):

• Matsushita wa imasu ka.
  • Meaning: Is Matsushita in?
  • Pronunciation: MaTSUsh'ta wa iMAS' ka.
• Roku, shichi, hachi
  • Meaning: six, seven, eight
  • Pronunciation: rok', sh'ch', hach'
• Shitsurei shimasu
  • Meaning: Pardon me for leaving.
  • Pronunciation: Sh'ts'REi sh'MAS'

In Japan, gender roles also influence one's elision. It is considered masculine to elide, especially the "u" sound, whereas women are encouraged to do the opposite.

External links

• French examples (http://french.about.com/library/pronunciation/bl-emuet.htm)
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