Which item is an example of a phonological error pattern rather than a motor-speech impairment?

• A. Fronting
• B. Fasciculations
• C. Poor tongue mobility
• D. Inability to perform voluntary movements

Answer: (A)

Phonological error patterns come from how the sound system is organized, not from the muscles or nerves used to speak. Fronting is a pattern where velar sounds like “k” and “g” are replaced with alveolar sounds like “t” and “d” at the starts of words. That shows a substitution pattern in speech sounds, not a neuromotor problem.

Fasciculations are small muscle twitches, reflecting motor-neural activity. Poor tongue mobility points to restricted or weak motor control of the tongue. Inability to perform voluntary movements indicates a broader motor-speech planning or execution impairment. So fronting stands out as a phonological pattern, not a motor-speech impairment.