What is Assimilation? Discuss assimilation or rules of assimilation.
Assimilation
Assimilation is a phonological process in which a speech sound changes and becomes more similar to a neighboring sound by the influence of the next or previous sound. For example, in English the negative prefix appears as im- before words beginning with a bilabial stop (e.g. possible: impossible) but as in- before words beginning with an alveolar stop (e.g. tolerant: intolerant).
Etymological definition
Assimilation is a cognitive process. The term “assimilation” comes from the Latin word ‘assimilare’ meaning, “make similar to.” It is the change of sound while rapid pronunciation. Some phonemes including typically consonants or vowels change to be more similar to other nearby sounds. It is a common or canonical type of phonological process across languages of the world. Assimilation can occur either within a word or between words. It occurs in normal conversational speech, and it becomes more common in more rapid speech. In some cases. The changed sound of the word is considered to be correct and pure.
For an English example, “handbag” (canonically /ˈhændˌbæɡ/) is often pronounced /ˈhæmbæɡ/ in rapid speech. This is because the [m] and [b] sounds are both bilabial consonants and their places of articulation are similar.
More Notes of Linguistics
Rules of assimilation: In English, the major types of assimilation are:
Regressive assimilation
In common language, assimilation in which the previous sound is influenced by the next sound to be changed is called regressive assimilation. In improved language, assimilation in which the next sound brings about a change in a preceding one is called regressive assimilation or anticipatory coarticulation.
For example:
That boy [ðæp bɔɪ]
Ten pens [tempenz], etc.
Progressive assimilation
In common language, assimilation in which the next sound is influenced by the previous sound to be changed is called progressive assimilation. In advanced language, Assimilation in which a preceding sound brings about a change in a following one is called progressive or perseverative assimilation.
For example:
Did you [didʒu], etc.
