Assimilation (linguistics)
With assimilation (Latin assimilare " make similar ", also: accommodation, alignment ) is called in phonology speech sound changes, the most by co-articulation ( articulatory simplification ) are produced.
A distinction is made between the Assimilans ( Weaver; sound that affects a different ) and the Assimilandum ( noise, which worked on the ).
Example ( from the dictionary ): The in MHG lamb was to
Assimilation can be described both synchronous as well as on diachronic level. Synchronous assimilation is a natural process within each language. Diachronic or historical assimilation occurs when the volume approximation has developed historically. The Italian word dottore is created for example by regressive assimilation from the Latin doctor.
Description Features
Depending on the angle you can assimilations following description features distinguished:
Direction of alignment
- When perseverative ( or progressive ) Assimilation ( of harmonized sequence sound) will maintain the features of the first and the second made loud sound similar. That is the Assimilans precedes the Assimilandum. This is passed, for example, the case with the English word. Here the d as a ( voiceless ) t is made, because the previous s is also voiceless. Voiced assimilation occurs when word bags, because the s is voiced like the g. Another example would be the Middle High German Cimbri, which evolved into the room.
- When accrued (or regressive ) assimilation, similar to the first sound of the second sound. That is the Assimilandum precedes the Assimilans. This happens for example in the debate [ ˌ ʊŋ yarn ] for Hungary. Here the n is pronounced as velar [ ŋ ], as is also velar g. An alignment of the sequence is also found in German sound / fynf /, colloquially [ fymf ].
- Reciprocal Assimilation: Mutual interference between two sounds ( sequentially Perservation and anticipation or vice versa):
• NHG
First created by perseverative assimilation [ bm ] from [bn ], because the feature is maintained by the bilabial voiced plosive [b ] and thus arises from the alveolar nasal [n ] the bilabial nasal [ m]. Then from [b ] by anticipation of the feature ' nasally (anticipatory assimilation ) of the bilabial nasal [ m].
Note: The [m ] is not realized in this case as a geminate; therefore it is sufficient to override [ha: m].
Degree of approximation
- Total assimilation The assimilation of the product corresponds to the triggering sound.
Example: Classic Latin: "Sub the " > Vulgar Latin: " Svd the ".
- Partialassimilation: The changing According to are not all of its distinctive features ( for example, the voicing or the Palatalität etc.).
Example: Latin: " quamdiu " > Vulgar Latin: " qvandivs " (in contact with the dental consonant / d / we the labial / m / from dental / n / replaced).
Distance of the affected sounds
- Nahassimilation (contact assimilation ): The sounds affected are in direct contact.
Example: Latin: " In balneum " > Vulgar Latin: " In balnevm ". The dental / n / becomes the labial / m / by the influence of the labial / b /.
- Remote assimilation ( assimilation distance ): The sounds affected are not adjacent. So the umlaut in Old High German gesti ( "guests" ) from the Germanic gasti example, caused by the fact that the a was increased by the influence of i to a e.