In rapid speech, what happens during sound reduction?

In rapid speech, sound reduction refers to the phenomenon where certain sounds in words are omitted, elided, or produced with less emphasis than in careful speech. This typically occurs to make speech more fluid and efficient. For example, in conversational English, phrases like "going to" often become "gonna," where the 'o' sound in 'going' is reduced and the transition is smoothened. This process helps speakers convey their messages more quickly while maintaining intelligibility.

The other options do not accurately describe sound reduction. Distortion implies that sounds are misrepresented, which is not the case in sound reduction. Adding sounds contradicts the essence of reduction, as this involves minimizing or omitting. Altering sounds completely suggests a fundamental change in pronunciation, rather than the subtle shifts associated with reduced speech. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the omission or reduction of sounds, making it the most accurate representation of what occurs during rapid speech.