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In the article "Ankyloglossia: To Clip or Not to Clip? That's the Question" (Dec. 27, 2005), the author explains that lingual restriction has no major effect on speech due to the type of sounds that are produced by the tongue tip and thus, frenulectomy is not necessary. However, it should have been emphasized that the conclusion is based on an analysis of the English language only. On the contrary, for native Spanish speakers, tongue tie has a major effect for the production of the /r/ sound. In Spanish, this sound is very vibrant especially when it is at the beginning of a word or when it is a double r (this letter does not exist in the English alphabet).
Mispronunciation can change the meaning of a word ("caro" = expensive; "carro" = car). When the misarticulation of /r/ is due to ankyloglossia, it will typically be substituted by /d/ of by a velar r, such as it is pronounced in the French language. This type of substitution is carried over into adulthood. Therefore, a Spanish speaker with tongue tie may be subjected to ridicule through his/her lifetime. Also, career alternatives may be compromised.
In conclusion, based on my 12-year experience as an SLP for Spanish speakers and after making an informal census with many of my colleagues, I can attest that ankyloglossia is a major cause for speech problems in the Spanish language and we do recommend frenulectomy along with speech therapy as treatment for tongue tie.
Maricarmen De la Cruz
San Juan, Puerto Rico
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