In comparative philology and sometimes in modern phonology, what is the term used to refer to the deletion of a vowel within a word?

Correct option is D

Explanation:

In phonology and linguistics, syncope refers to the deletion of a vowel sound from the interior of a word. This phenomenon often occurs in rapid speech or as part of the natural evolution of a language.

• Example: In English, "family" is often pronounced as /ˈfæm.li/, with the medial vowel /ə/ omitted.
• Another example is "memory," pronounced as /ˈmem.ri/.

Information Booster:

1. Syncope is a central concept in historical linguistics and phonology, illustrating how language simplifies over time.
2. It contributes to changes in word structure and pronunciation, often influenced by rhythm and ease of articulation.
3. Syncope is distinct from aphaeresis (initial deletion) and apocope (final deletion).

Additional Knowledge:

1. Aphaeresis: Refers to the loss of a sound or syllable at the beginning of a word (e.g., "’round" instead of "around").
2. Equi-deletion: This term is not commonly used in phonology and is not relevant to vowel deletion within words.
3. Paradigm: Refers to a set of linguistic forms that share a common root but are inflected differently (e.g., verb conjugations). It does not involve sound deletion.