Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
progressive-assimilation
Noun
/prəˈɡrɛsɪv əˌsɪmɪˈleɪʃən/
Definition
The process by which a sound in a word becomes more similar to the surrounding sounds as it is pronounced.
Examples
- In the word ‘handbag,’ the ‘d’ may become softer to sound like ‘handbag’ when spoken quickly, demonstrating progressive assimilation.
- When someone says ‘don’t you’ quickly, it often becomes ‘doncha,’ illustrating how sounds can assimilate progressively.
Meaning
Progressive assimilation occurs when a phoneme is influenced by previously articulated phonemes, leading to a change in how the sound is produced over time, typically making it more alike to adjacent sounds.
Synonyms
- Sound change
- Phonetic assimilation
- Articulatory adjustment
