What is Assimilation? | Connected Speech | English Pronunciation

Summary

In this video, the concept of assimilation in phonology is explained, focusing on how sounds change to become more similar to adjacent sounds in connected speech. The speaker demonstrates assimilation both within and between words, providing examples like 'handbag' changing to 'hampbag' and 'in barcelona' becoming 'im barcelona.' Various examples of assimilation in different consonants and speech situations are explored, helping viewers understand how these changes occur naturally in fast speech. The video emphasizes how assimilation aids fluency and the natural flow of language, encouraging learners to practice and recognize these phonological changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 Assimilation is a feature of connected speech where sounds change to become more similar to following sounds.
• 😀 Assimilation can occur both within a word and between words, affecting speech flow and speed.
• 😀 A common example of assimilation is the change from 'handbag' to 'hamp' when spoken quickly, due to the mouth preparing for the 'b' sound.
• 😀 Elision (the dropping of sounds) often happens alongside assimilation, but they are distinct processes. For instance, 'handbag' loses its 'd' sound.
• 😀 Assimilation between words occurs when adjacent words influence each other's sounds, like in the sentence 'I live in Barcelona', where 'in' becomes 'im' before 'Barcelona'.
• 😀 Assimilation can involve nasal sounds, as in the transition from 'ten' to 'ten kings', where 'n' becomes 'ng' before a 'k' sound.
• 😀 Fricative sounds can also undergo assimilation, as seen when 'nice shoes' becomes 'nashoes' due to the blending of 's' and 'sh'.
• 😀 Voiceless and voiced consonants can affect assimilation, such as when 'fourth Sunday' becomes 'for Sunday', with the 'th' sound changing to 's'.
• 😀 Assimilation can simplify pronunciation, like in 'nice to meet you', where the 't' sound merges with the 'y' sound in 'you', becoming 'nice to meet you'.
• 😀 Common phrases like 'would you' and 'I need your' undergo assimilation in fast speech, where the 'd' in 'would' merges with the 'y' sound in 'you'.

Q & A

What is assimilation in phonology?

Assimilation in phonology refers to a process where a sound changes to become more similar to a following sound. It helps in making speech smoother and more efficient.

Can assimilation occur within a single word?

Yes, assimilation can occur within a word. For example, in the word 'handbag', the sound /n/ changes to /m/ when spoken quickly, due to the influence of the following 'b' sound.

What is the difference between assimilation and elision?

Assimilation involves a sound changing to become more similar to a neighboring sound, while elision involves the omission of a sound. In the case of 'handbag', the 'n' sound is replaced with 'm' (assimilation), and the 'd' sound is dropped (elision).

How does assimilation help in fast speech?

Assimilation makes speech faster and easier by allowing sounds to blend together. For example, in 'I live in Barcelona', the /n/ sound changes to /m/ to align with the following 'b' sound, making the transition smoother.

Why does the 'n' in 'in' change to 'm' in phrases like 'in Barcelona'?

The 'n' changes to 'm' in phrases like 'in Barcelona' because both sounds are nasal and produced with the lips closed, which makes the transition smoother and quicker when speaking fast.

What happens to the 't' sound in 'want you' when spoken quickly?

When spoken quickly, the 't' in 'want' blends with the 'y' in 'you', resulting in a new sound, often pronounced as 'wou-joo'. This is an example of assimilation between words.

How does assimilation affect pronunciation in the example 'nice shoes'?

In 'nice shoes', the /s/ sound in 'nice' changes to /ʃ/ (the 'sh' sound) because the following word, 'shoes', starts with a 'sh' sound. This creates a smoother flow between the words.

Does assimilation always happen in the same way for every speaker?

No, assimilation doesn't always happen in the same way for every speaker. It can vary depending on factors like speech speed, regional accents, and personal pronunciation habits.

What is the role of the articulators in the process of assimilation?

The articulators (such as the lips and tongue) play a key role in assimilation by adjusting their positions to match the sounds that follow, making speech more efficient. For example, the lips close to produce /m/ in 'handbag' and 'in Barcelona'.

Why is assimilation an automatic process in fast speech?

Assimilation is automatic in fast speech because it's a natural process that helps reduce effort and increase the speed of communication. Speakers do not consciously decide to assimilate sounds; it happens automatically as a part of fluent speech.