What is the difference between assimilation and dissimilation?

Phonetics And Word Formation Questions Medium



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What is the difference between assimilation and dissimilation?

Assimilation and dissimilation are two phonetic processes that occur in language.

Assimilation refers to the process in which a sound becomes more similar to a neighboring sound. It occurs when a sound changes its pronunciation to become more like a nearby sound in terms of place, manner, or voicing. This can happen due to the influence of a neighboring sound, making the pronunciation easier or more natural. For example, in the word "impossible," the /n/ sound assimilates to the /m/ sound in the following syllable, resulting in the pronunciation /ɪmˈpɑsəbəl/.

On the other hand, dissimilation is the opposite process, where a sound becomes less similar to a neighboring sound. It occurs when a sound changes its pronunciation to become less like a nearby sound. This can happen to avoid repetition or to make the pronunciation easier. For example, in the word "library," the /r/ sound dissimilates to the /l/ sound in the following syllable, resulting in the pronunciation /ˈlaɪbrəri/.

In summary, assimilation involves sounds becoming more similar to neighboring sounds, while dissimilation involves sounds becoming less similar to neighboring sounds. Both processes play a significant role in shaping the pronunciation and formation of words in language.