A speech characteristic involving the inaccurate articulation of sibilant sounds, often /s/ and /z/, can manifest in various ways. This may involve producing these sounds between the teeth (interdental lisp), from the side of the mouth (lateral lisp), or with the tongue placed too far forward in the mouth (dentalized lisp). For instance, the word “sun” might sound like “thun” in the case of an interdental production.
Understanding the origins of altered sibilant production is important for speech-language pathologists. Identifying the specific cause can inform the most appropriate intervention strategies. Historically, addressing these articulation patterns focused primarily on correcting tongue placement and airflow. Current approaches often integrate a broader perspective, considering factors beyond just the physical mechanics of speech.
