Have you ever noticed how sometimes, when people speak or poets write, sounds seem to… disappear? Not entirely, but softened, blended, or even dropped altogether? This isn’t a mistake. It’s a literary device called elision, and it’s a powerful tool for creating rhythm, flow, and emphasis in language. Let’s explore what elision is, how it works, and why writers use it.
What is Elision?
Elision is the omission of a sound or syllable when speaking—or, crucially in writing, when representing speech. It’s often done to maintain the flow of language, avoid awkward pronunciations, or create a specific poetic effect. Think of it as a subtle smoothing out of spoken language on the page.
A Simple Definition
In its simplest form, elision is the dropping of a vowel or consonant sound within a word or between words. It’s about how language sounds as much as how it’s written.
Basic Examples of Elision
Here are a few quick examples to illustrate the idea:
- “I am” often becomes “I’m”
- “Do not” frequently becomes “Don’t”
- “Cannot” is often shortened to “Can’t”
- “Of course” can become “O’course” in some dialects
These aren’t merely contractions; they represent a deliberate softening or merging of sounds.
The Mechanics of Elision
Elision isn’t random. Certain sounds are more likely to be elided than others. It’s often governed by pronunciation and the natural flow of speech. Let’s look at specific scenarios.
Vowel Elision
Vowel elision occurs when a vowel sound is dropped, usually when it falls between two consonants or at the end of a word before another word beginning with a vowel.
Example: “February” is sometimes pronounced “Feb-oo-ary” in many accents, with the ‘r’ omitted.
Example: “He ate an apple” may be spoken with a slight smoothing where the “e” in “ate” and the “a” in “an” almost blend together.
Consonant Elision
Consonant elision is less common than vowel elision, but it happens. It often involves dropping a weak consonant sound, like ‘t’ or ‘d’, particularly in rapid speech.
Example: “Just now” can sometimes be said as “Jus’ now,” with the ‘t’ sound being dropped.
Example: In some dialects, “Wednesday” can be pronounced “Wensday,” dropping the ‘d’ sound.
Elision in Poetry and Literature
While elision happens in everyday speech, writers use it intentionally to achieve specific artistic effects. It’s a key tool in poetry, particularly to maintain a specific meter or rhyme scheme.
Maintaining Meter and Rhyme
Poets often use elision to fit words into a desired metrical pattern. By dropping a syllable, they can adjust the number of syllables in a line without changing the meaning.
Example: In the line “And summer’s lease hath all too short a date,” the final vowel of “lease” may be elided when the line is read aloud, keeping the iambic pentameter smooth.
Creating a Natural Speech Rhythm
Elision can make written language sound more natural and conversational. It mirrors the way people actually speak, adding authenticity and realism to dialogue.
Example: In a novel, a character might say, “I’m going to the store,” instead of “I am going to the store.” This creates a more casual, believable tone.
Emphasis and Pausing
Ironically, dropping a sound can sometimes emphasize another. By creating a slight pause where the elided sound would be, the writer draws attention to the surrounding words.
Example: Consider a line like “He’s a man of great courage.” The elision in “He’s” creates a slight separation, subtly emphasizing the word “man.”
Elision vs. Contraction
It’s important to distinguish elision from contraction. While both involve shortening words, they’re not quite the same.
- Contractions use an apostrophe to show where letters have been removed (e.g., “don’t,” “can’t,” “it’s”). They are a standardized way of shortening words in writing.
- Elision is more about the sound being dropped in speech, and the representation of that dropped sound in writing, even if it doesn’t always involve an apostrophe. It’s often more subtle and fluid.
While there’s overlap, elision is a broader concept that encompasses more than just standard contractions.
More Detailed Examples
Let’s look at some extended examples to illustrate how elision works in context.
| Original Phrase | With Elision | Explanation |
| “The earth is round.” | “Th’ earth is round.” | The ‘e’ in ‘the’ is elided before the vowel sound in ‘earth’. |
| “Remember one thing.” | “Rememb’ er one thing.” | The ‘e’ in ‘remember’ is elided before the vowel sound in ‘one’. |
| “Give us a chance.” | “Giv’ us a chance.” | The vowel sound in ‘give’ is subtly reduced and elided before ‘us’. |
These examples show how elision can create a smoother, more natural flow of language, even in relatively simple phrases.
Recognizing and Utilizing Elision
As a reader, recognizing elision can enhance your understanding of poetry and literature. Pay attention to how sounds are blended or dropped, and how this affects the rhythm and meaning of the text.
As a writer, elision can be a powerful tool for creating a specific effect. Use it intentionally to maintain meter, create a natural speech rhythm, or emphasize certain words.
Experiment with elision in your own writing. Read your work aloud to see how it sounds, and adjust the language accordingly. By mastering this technique, you can add nuance and sophistication to your prose and poetry.
Elision, while often subtle, is a testament to the fluidity and artistry of language. It’s a reminder that language is not just about what is said, but also about how it is said—and how it sounds.