A child who speaks African American English reads the word "sold" as "sol." Which statement is NOT true regarding this situation?

The scenario describes a child reading the word "sold" as "sol," which reflects a characteristic of African American English (AAE) where certain final consonants may be dropped or altered in pronunciation. This indicates a dialectal variation rather than a simple phonologic error, as the child is using patterns from their dialect in their reading. Therefore, it is important to recognize that the child's reading is reflective of their linguistic background, not necessarily a misunderstanding or error in phonology.

The statement about the child demonstrating dialectal variation is true, as differences in pronunciation arising from AAE are legitimate forms of expression within that dialect. Additionally, the child is likely to understand the meaning of the word "sold," indicating comprehension despite the pronunciation inconsistency. Lastly, phonological awareness does not solely rely on standard pronunciations; many children display phonological skills within the context of their dialect. Thus, acknowledging the correct pronunciation for the standard dialect is not the same as claiming a lack of phonological awareness overall.

In summary, the child’s response represents dialectal expression rather than an error, highlighting the importance of understanding language variations in assessing reading behaviors.