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What is the theory or explanation behind the mental processes of "spoonerisms"?

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Answer #1

I’m not aware of any specific brain issue that leads to transposing sounds in words (spoonerisms). I know for years my parents kept correcting me when I said alunimum instead of aluminum. They were finally successful when they insisted that I pronounce the metal the British/Canadian al-you-MINi-um instead of the American a-LUM-i-num. That finally got it in my head that the m sound comes before the n sound.

I’ve read quite a bit about developmental delays, learning disabilities and language disorders and I haven’t come across anything in the literature about what causes people to be prone to spoonerisms.

Sounds like a good dissertation topic.

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