Dissimilation

Definition

Dissimilation is a phonological process in which two similar sounds in a word become less similar, often to make pronunciation easier. This can occur in various languages and influences how words are pronounced over time. Dissimilation plays a role in morphological analysis by showing how sound changes can affect the form of words, leading to different allomorphs and highlighting the dynamic nature of language evolution.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dissimilation can occur at both the level of individual sounds (phonemes) and larger units like syllables.
2. This process is often motivated by ease of articulation; speakers tend to avoid difficult or awkward sound combinations.
3. One classic example of dissimilation is the historical change from Latin 'peregrinus' to Old French 'pelerin', where the first 'r' became less pronounced.
4. Dissimilation is not as common as assimilation but is still an important factor in understanding sound change in languages.
5. The study of dissimilation helps linguists understand the rules governing phonetic changes and contributes to morphological analysis by illustrating how form can shift over time.

Review Questions

• How does dissimilation affect the formation of allomorphs within a language?
  • Dissimilation impacts allomorph formation by altering sounds in a way that leads to different pronunciations or forms of the same morpheme. When similar sounds become less alike due to dissimilation, it can result in distinct allomorphs emerging from a single morpheme. This shows how phonological processes can influence morphological structure, revealing the interconnectedness of sound and meaning in language.
• Discuss how dissimilation differs from assimilation and provide examples of each.
  • Dissimilation and assimilation are both phonological processes but function oppositely. While dissimilation involves two similar sounds becoming less alike, assimilation occurs when sounds become more similar to each other. For example, in English, 'input' may be pronounced as 'imput' (assimilation), while Latin 'peregrinus' evolving into 'pelerin' illustrates dissimilation. Understanding these processes is crucial for analyzing sound change in linguistics.
• Evaluate the role of dissimilation in the evolution of language and its implications for morphological analysis.
  • Dissimilation plays a significant role in the evolution of language by demonstrating how sounds can change over time, influencing word forms and pronunciation. These changes can lead to the emergence of new allomorphs, which reflect historical shifts in language use and articulation. By evaluating dissimilation within linguistic studies, one can gain insights into broader trends in language development, showcasing how sound alterations contribute to our understanding of morphology and phonology across different languages.

Related terms

allomorph: Allomorphs are different morphological variants of a single morpheme that occur in specific phonetic contexts.

morpheme: A morpheme is the smallest grammatical unit in a language, which can be a word or a part of a word.

assimilation:

Assimilation is a phonological process where a sound becomes more like a neighboring sound, contrasting with dissimilation.