Which term best describes the sound change where a vowel at the end of a word links with the beginning of the next word?

• A. Assimilation
• B. Elision
• C. Liaison
• D. Juncture

Answer: (C)

Linking sounds across word boundaries in natural speech is called liaison. It describes how the ending vowel of one word connects with the initial sound of the next word, creating a smooth, continuous flow rather than a noticeable break. This cross-word linking happens because speakers favor fluency, and liaison captures that exact phenomenon of bridging from one word into the next. It’s distinct from assimilation (sounds changing to match nearby sounds), elision (dropping a sound), or juncture (the boundary’s timing or pause). So the best term for this vowel-to-word boundary connection is liaison.