With examples, distinguish between assimilatory and non- assimilatory processes

      

With examples, distinguish between assimilatory and non- assimilatory processes

  

Answers


Francis
1. Assimilatory processes:
Here, a sound becomes more like the neighbouring sound segment. Examples of these are:
a) Labialization
The lips are brought forward thus protruding on top of primary articulation. It is represented by a superscription w; hence [s(w)] represents a labialized voiceless alveolar fricative.

b) Velarization
This occurs when you raise the back of the tongue towards the velum. For example, when we articulate the final sounds in the words: pill, hill, will with the tongue raised to velum rather than to hard palate like in lean, litter.

c) Nasalization
This affects the vowels that occur in the context of two nasal consonants. The vowel is darkened to acquire the nasalized quality. In preparation for producing a nasal consonant, the velum is lowered, often a little earlier while the vowel is being produced so that the vowel is produced with air escaping through the nasal cavity. The property of nasalization is symbolized with a tilde diacritic [~] placed over the vowel.

d) Palatalisation
The tongue is raised towards the hard palate .This is called fronting.


2. Non-assimilatory processes:
In this situation, the sound segment becomes less similar to neighbouring sound segments. They include:
a) Apocope
This is loss of a sound segment in a word final position. For example in the words store and stir.

b) Epenthesis
This is insertion of a sound segment in word medial position.
Assume- assumption /p/ is inserted in the word assumption.

c) Breaking
This happens when a long vowel breaks and becomes a diphthong. Breaking occurs in rapid speech in long vowels.

d) Vowel Reduction
The vowels in unstressed positions are reduced to a schwa.
But- /b?t/ (in isolation)
But- /b?t/ (in a conversation)
francis1897 answered the question on August 23, 2022 at 11:44


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