What type of phonological process is described by replacing a fricative with a stop consonant?

The process of replacing a fricative consonant with a stop consonant is known as stopping. In phonological development, children often simplify complex sounds as they learn to speak. Fricatives, which are produced by forcing air through a narrow constriction in the vocal tract (like /f/, /s/, or /v/), require more precise articulatory skills compared to stops (like /p/, /t/, or /k/), which involve a complete closure followed by a release of air.

When a child substitutes a fricative with a stop, they are demonstrating the stopping process. For instance, a child might say "tun" instead of "sun," where the fricative /s/ has been replaced by the stop /t/. This phonological process aligns with typical patterns observed in language development, as children often simplify their phonetic inventory as they acquire more complex sounds. Understanding the concept of stopping contributes to the broader study of communication disorders, as it highlights typical versus atypical speech sound development.