WHAT IS ASSIMILATION?
Assimilation is when one sound is influenced and changed by a neighbouring sound. Generally speaking, there are three types of assimilation that can be identified; assimilation of place, manner or voice
TYPES OF ASSIMILATION
Assimilation of place Assimilation of manner Assimilation of manner
Assimilation of place
Assimilation of place can be demonstrated by /ratbag/ or /oatmeal/ where the /t/ sound is replaced by a /p/ sound. This is because the alveolar plosive /t/ is simplified into the /p/ sound which is closer to the bilabial plosive /b/.
Assimilation of manner
Assimilation of manner refers to when two different manners of articulation influence each other to form a different type of manner of articulation. Examples of this are the pronunciation of /indian/ as /injun/ or the pronunciation of /soldier/. This is because the plosive /d/ combines with the approximant /j/ to form an affricate.
Assimilation of manner
Assimilation of voice is illustrated by the pronunciation of /have to/ with an /f/ sound rather than the /v/ as the voiced fricative is followed by a voiceless consonant.
Examples of Assimilation
When a /t/ is followed by a /b/ or a /p/, it usually changes into a /p/ sound.
that person that boy light blue
Examples of Assimilation
When a /d/ is followed by a /b/ or a /p/, it usually changes into a /b/ sound.
good boy good practice
Examples of Assimilation
/tj/ and /dj/ are often assimilated in natural speech to the
for tune for dew
Examples of Assimilation
affects any /s/ or /z/ that comes before
it.
this shoe for those shoes