Which term is defined as a voiceless sound used instead of voiced?

The term that refers to a voiceless sound used in place of a voiced sound is known as prevocalic voicing. In speech-language pathology, this phenomenon occurs when a voiceless consonant, typically produced at the beginning of a word (the prevocalic position), replaces a voiced counterpart. For example, a child might say "top" instead of "job," where the initial voiceless /t/ substitutes for the voiced /d/.

This pattern often appears in developing speech as children experiment with sounds and may not have fully mastered the precise voicing contrasts. Understanding prevocalic voicing is essential for speech-language pathologists, as it helps in diagnosing and designing interventions for children with speech sound disorders. It provides insight into the child's phonological system and aids in identifying specific patterns that may need targeted therapy.