Dissimilation: Exploring the Opposite of Assimilation
Understanding the nuances of English pronunciation involves more than just learning individual sounds. It also requires grasping how sounds interact with each other within words and phrases.
While assimilation, the process where sounds become more alike, is a well-known phenomenon, its counterpart, dissimilation, is equally important. Dissimilation refers to the process where sounds become less alike.
This article will provide a comprehensive exploration of dissimilation, its types, rules, and examples, offering a solid foundation for learners of all levels.
This guide is designed for English language learners, linguistics students, teachers, and anyone interested in deepening their understanding of phonetics and phonology. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of dissimilation, its various forms, and how it differs from assimilation.
You’ll also be equipped with practical knowledge to identify and analyze instances of dissimilation in everyday speech.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Dissimilation
- Structural Breakdown of Dissimilation
- Types of Dissimilation
- Examples of Dissimilation
- Usage Rules of Dissimilation
- Common Mistakes with Dissimilation
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics in Dissimilation
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Conclusion
Definition of Dissimilation
Dissimilation is a phonological process where similar sounds within a word become less alike. Unlike assimilation, where sounds become more similar to each other, dissimilation creates a contrast between sounds that were originally similar. This process often occurs to make words easier to pronounce or distinguish. Dissimilation can affect various features of a sound, such as its place of articulation, manner of articulation, or voicing.
Dissimilation is a type of phonological process, specifically a sound change that alters the pronunciation of a word over time. It’s important to note that dissimilation can be influenced by factors such as speech rate, regional accents, and individual speaking habits. The function of dissimilation is primarily to enhance the distinctiveness of sounds, preventing them from blending together and potentially causing confusion. It serves an important role in both historical linguistic change and synchronic phonetic variation.
The contexts in which dissimilation occurs vary. It can occur between adjacent sounds (contiguous dissimilation) or between sounds separated by one or more other sounds (non-contiguous or distance dissimilation). Understanding these different contexts is crucial for identifying and analyzing dissimilation in speech. The presence of dissimilation is often subtle and requires careful phonetic analysis to detect. For example, in some dialects, the word “February” is pronounced with the first ‘r’ sound omitted, illustrating dissimilation.
Structural Breakdown of Dissimilation
The structural breakdown of dissimilation involves understanding the elements and patterns that govern this phonological process. At its core, dissimilation involves two similar sounds within a word.
These sounds possess one or more shared phonetic features. The process then alters one of the sounds to decrease the similarity.
This alteration can involve a change in the place of articulation (where the sound is produced in the mouth), the manner of articulation (how the sound is produced), or the voicing (whether the vocal cords vibrate).
The general pattern of dissimilation can be represented as follows: Sound A (with feature X) + Sound B (with feature X) -> Sound A (with feature Y) + Sound B (with feature X), where feature X is the shared characteristic, and feature Y is the modified characteristic. The direction of change in dissimilation is often predictable based on phonetic principles.
Sounds that are difficult to distinguish or produce in close proximity are more likely to undergo dissimilation. The specific rules governing dissimilation can vary significantly between languages and even between dialects of the same language.
Understanding these rules requires a deep knowledge of phonetics and phonology.
In addition to the phonetic features involved, the structural analysis of dissimilation also considers the position of the sounds within the word. Dissimilation can occur at the beginning, middle, or end of words.
It is also essential to consider the surrounding sounds and the stress pattern of the word. These factors can influence the likelihood and the direction of dissimilation.
For instance, a sound in a stressed syllable might be more resistant to dissimilation than a sound in an unstressed syllable. Analyzing the structural elements of dissimilation provides a framework for understanding how and why this process occurs.
Types of Dissimilation
Dissimilation can be categorized based on the specific phonetic feature that is altered. The most common types of dissimilation include place dissimilation, manner dissimilation, and voicing dissimilation.
In addition, dissimilation can be categorized based on the distance between the sounds involved, resulting in contiguous and distance dissimilation. Each of these types involves different mechanisms and results in different phonetic outcomes.
Understanding these categories is essential for a comprehensive understanding of dissimilation.
Place Dissimilation
Place dissimilation involves a change in the place of articulation of a sound. The place of articulation refers to where in the vocal tract a sound is produced (e.g., lips, teeth, alveolar ridge, palate, velum). In place dissimilation, one sound shifts its place of articulation to become less similar to a nearby sound. This type of dissimilation often occurs to make words easier to pronounce by reducing articulatory effort.
For example, consider the word “pilgrim”. In some dialects, the /l/ sound may be influenced by the following /ɡ/ sound (a velar consonant produced at the back of the mouth).
The /l/ might shift its place of articulation slightly further back in the mouth, becoming velarized or even disappearing altogether. This change reduces the articulatory effort needed to transition between the two sounds.
Place dissimilation is common in languages with complex consonant clusters.
Manner Dissimilation
Manner dissimilation involves a change in the manner of articulation of a sound. The manner of articulation refers to how a sound is produced (e.g., stop, fricative, nasal, liquid, glide). In manner dissimilation, one sound changes its manner of articulation to become less similar to a nearby sound. This type of dissimilation can improve the distinctiveness of sounds and reduce the likelihood of misinterpretation.
An example of manner dissimilation is the pronunciation of the word “colonel” in English. Although spelled with two “l” sounds, it is often pronounced with an “r” sound in place of the second “l” (/ˈkɜːrnəl/).
This change can be seen as manner dissimilation, where the liquid /l/ sound changes to the liquid /r/ sound to avoid the repetition of the same manner of articulation. This alteration makes the word easier to pronounce and distinguish from other similar-sounding words.
Voicing Dissimilation
Voicing dissimilation involves a change in the voicing of a sound. Voicing refers to whether the vocal cords vibrate during the production of a sound. Voiced sounds are produced with vocal cord vibration, while voiceless sounds are produced without vibration. In voicing dissimilation, a voiced sound may become voiceless, or vice versa, to become less similar to a nearby sound.
An example of voicing dissimilation is found in the pronunciation of plural nouns in English. Although the regular plural ending is written as “-s,” it is pronounced differently depending on the preceding sound.
If the preceding sound is voiceless (e.g., /p/, /t/, /k/, /f/, /θ/), the plural ending is also voiceless (/s/). However, if the preceding sound is voiced (e.g., /b/, /d/, /ɡ/, /v/, /ð/, /m/, /n/, /ŋ/, /l/, /r/, all vowels), the plural ending is also voiced (/z/).
This is technically assimilation, but its opposite can be seen in irregular forms. For example, the word “wolf” becomes “wolves,” where the /f/ sound changes to /v/ in the plural form.
While historically this might have been due to other factors, it functions similarly to voicing dissimilation in modern English by creating a distinction between the singular and plural forms.
Distance Dissimilation
Distance dissimilation, also known as non-contiguous dissimilation, occurs when the two sounds involved are separated by one or more intervening sounds. This type of dissimilation is less common than contiguous dissimilation but can still play a significant role in shaping the pronunciation of words. The intervening sounds can influence the strength and direction of the dissimilation process.
An example of distance dissimilation can be seen in some pronunciations of the word “library.” In certain dialects, the first /r/ sound may be dropped, resulting in a pronunciation like /ˈlaɪbrəri/. This can be attributed to the presence of the second /r/ sound later in the word.
The omission of the first /r/ reduces the repetition of that sound within the word, making it easier to pronounce. This is a clear instance of distance dissimilation, where the two sounds are separated by intervening syllables.
Examples of Dissimilation
Providing specific examples of dissimilation helps to illustrate how this process manifests in spoken language. The following sections provide detailed examples of place dissimilation, manner dissimilation, voicing dissimilation, and distance dissimilation.
These examples are drawn from various languages and dialects to showcase the diversity of dissimilation processes.
Place Dissimilation Examples
Place dissimilation involves changes in the location of sound production within the mouth. The following table provides examples of words where place dissimilation occurs, along with descriptions of the sounds involved and the resulting change.
| Word | Original Sounds | Dissimilated Sounds | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pilgrim | /l/ and /ɡ/ | /l/ may be velarized or dropped | The /l/ sound shifts its place of articulation due to the following /ɡ/ sound. |
| Purple | /r/ and /p/ | /r/ becomes /l/ in some dialects | The /r/ sound changes to /l/, reducing the similarity with the preceding /p/ sound. |
| Chimpanzee (Some dialects) | /m/ and /p/ | /m/ becomes /n/ | The bilabial nasal /m/ changes to the alveolar nasal /n/ due to the following bilabial stop /p/. |
| Filth | /l/ and /θ/ | /l/ is dropped in some dialects | The /l/ sound disappears, reducing the articulatory complexity with the following /θ/ sound. |
| Specific (Some pronunciations) | /p/ and /f/ | /p/ becomes /k/ | The bilabial stop /p/ changes to the velar stop /k/ to avoid similarity with the labiodental fricative /f/. |
| Amphitheater | /m/ and /θ/ | /m/ becomes /n/ | The bilabial nasal /m/ becomes the alveolar nasal /n/, reducing similarity with the dental fricative /θ/. |
| Something (Casual speech) | /θ/ and /ŋ/ | /θ/ becomes /f/ | The dental fricative /θ/ becomes the labiodental fricative /f/ to dissimilate from the velar nasal /ŋ/. |
| Marble | /r/ and /b/ | /r/ becomes /l/ in some dialects | The /r/ sound changes to /l/, reducing the similarity with the following /b/ sound. |
| Govern | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ becomes /l/ in some dialects | The /r/ sound shifts to /l/, reducing the similarity with the following /n/ sound. |
| Comfortable (Some pronunciations) | /f/ and /t/ | /f/ is dropped | The /f/ sound is omitted, reducing the articulatory closeness to the /t/ sound. |
| Aluminum (British English) | /m/ and /n/ | /m/ is dropped | The /m/ sound is omitted to reduce nasal consonant repetition. |
| Surprise | /r/ and /s/ | /r/ becomes /l/ in some dialects | The /r/ sound changes to /l/ to create greater distinction from the /s/ sound. |
| Colonel (Some dialects) | /l/ and /n/ | /l/ becomes /r/ | The /l/ sound changes to /r/, reducing the similarity with the following /n/ sound. |
| Hundred | /d/ and /r/ | /d/ is dropped in some dialects | /d/ is dropped, making the word easier to pronounce. |
| Particular | /l/ and /r/ | /l/ is dropped in some dialects | The /l/ sound is omitted to reduce articulatory effort. |
| Temperature | /p/ and /r/ | /p/ is dropped in some dialects | The /p/ sound is omitted, simplifying the consonant cluster. |
| Veterinarian | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The /r/ sound is dropped to reduce repetition of similar sounds. |
| Library | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The first /r/ sound is omitted to reduce repetition of the same sound. |
| February | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The first /r/ sound is omitted to reduce repetition of the same sound. |
| Worcestershire | /r/ and /ʃ/ | /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The /r/ sound is dropped to simplify pronunciation. |
These examples illustrate how place dissimilation can lead to a variety of sound changes, often influenced by the specific phonetic environment and the speaker’s dialect. These changes are often subtle but can significantly affect the pronunciation of words.
Manner Dissimilation Examples
Manner dissimilation involves changes in how a sound is produced, such as from a stop to a fricative or a nasal to a liquid. The following table provides examples of words where manner dissimilation occurs, along with descriptions of the sounds involved and the resulting change.
| Word | Original Sounds | Dissimilated Sounds | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colonel | /l/ and /n/ | /l/ becomes /r/ | The liquid /l/ changes to the liquid /r/ to avoid the repetition of a similar sound. |
| Chimney | /m/ and /n/ | /m/ becomes /ŋ/ in some dialects | The nasal /m/ changes to the nasal /ŋ/ to reduce similarity with the following /n/. |
| Anniversary | /n/ and /r/ | /n/ is dropped in some dialects | The nasal /n/ is dropped entirely to avoid similarity with the following /r/. |
| Especially (Rapid speech) | /s/ and /p/ | /s/ becomes /ʃ/ before /p/ | The fricative /s/ changes to the fricative /ʃ/ before the stop /p/. |
| Probably (Casual speech) | /b/ and /b/ | First /b/ becomes /p/ | The stop /b/ changes to /p/ to differentiate the sounds. |
| Identity | /n/ and /t/ | /n/ becomes /m/ in some dialects | The nasal /n/ changes to /m/ to reduce similarity with the following /t/. |
| Govern (Some dialects) | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ becomes /l/ | The liquid /r/ changes to the liquid /l/ to avoid similarity with the following /n/. |
| Comfortable (Casual speech) | /f/ and /t/ | /f/ is dropped | The fricative /f/ is omitted to avoid articulatory closeness with the /t/ sound. |
| Aluminum (British English) | /m/ and /n/ | /m/ is dropped | The nasal /m/ is omitted to reduce nasal consonant repetition. |
| Surprise | /r/ and /s/ | /r/ becomes /l/ in some dialects | The liquid /r/ changes to /l/ to create greater distinction from the /s/ sound. |
| Hundred | /d/ and /r/ | /d/ is dropped in some dialects | The stop /d/ is dropped, making the word easier to pronounce. |
| Particular | /l/ and /r/ | /l/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /l/ is omitted to reduce articulatory effort. |
| Temperature | /p/ and /r/ | /p/ is dropped in some dialects | The stop /p/ is omitted, simplifying the consonant cluster. |
| Veterinarian | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /r/ is dropped to reduce repetition of similar sounds. |
| Library | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /r/ sound is omitted to reduce repetition of the same sound. |
| February | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /r/ sound is omitted to reduce repetition of the same sound. |
| Worcestershire | /r/ and /ʃ/ | /r/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /r/ sound is dropped to simplify pronunciation. |
| Film | /l/ and /m/ | /l/ is dropped in some dialects | The liquid /l/ sound is omitted to reduce repetition of similar sounds. |
| Sixth | /k/ and /θ/ | /k/ is dropped in some dialects | The stop /k/ sound is omitted to simplify pronunciation. |
| Often | /t/ and /n/ | /t/ is dropped in some dialects | The stop /t/ sound is omitted to simplify pronunciation. |
These examples illustrate how manner dissimilation can alter the way sounds are produced, often simplifying pronunciation or enhancing the distinctiveness of words. The changes can vary depending on the specific context and the speaker’s dialect.
Voicing Dissimilation Examples
Voicing dissimilation involves changes in whether a sound is voiced (vocal cords vibrate) or voiceless (vocal cords do not vibrate). The following table provides examples of words where voicing dissimilation occurs, along with descriptions of the sounds involved and the resulting change.
| Word | Original Sounds | Dissimilated Sounds | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wolf (Plural: Wolves) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Knife (Plural: Knives) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Life (Plural: Lives) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Leaf (Plural: Leaves) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Thief (Plural: Thieves) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Half (Plural: Halves) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the plural form. |
| Sheath (Plural: Sheaths) | /θ/ | /ð/ | The voiceless fricative /θ/ becomes the voiced fricative /ð/ in the plural form. |
| Bath (Plural: Baths) | /θ/ | /ð/ | The voiceless fricative /θ/ becomes the voiced fricative /ð/ in the plural form. |
| Path (Plural: Paths) | /θ/ | /ð/ | The voiceless fricative /θ/ becomes the voiced fricative /ð/ in the plural form. |
| Cloth (Plural: Clothes) | /θ/ | /ð/ | The voiceless fricative /θ/ becomes the voiced fricative /ð/ in the plural form. |
| House (Noun vs. Verb) | /s/ | /z/ | The voiceless fricative /s/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /z/ in the verb. |
| Use (Noun vs. Verb) | /s/ | /z/ | The voiceless fricative /s/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /z/ in the verb. |
| Advice (Noun vs. Advise Verb) | /s/ | /z/ | The voiceless fricative /s/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /z/ in the verb. |
| Belief (Noun vs. Believe Verb) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the verb. |
| Proof (Noun vs. Prove Verb) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the verb. |
| Deaf (Noun vs. Deafen Verb) | /f/ | /v/ | The voiceless fricative /f/ in the noun becomes the voiced fricative /v/ in the verb. |
These examples highlight how voicing dissimilation can create distinctions between related words, such as singular and plural forms or nouns and verbs. The change in voicing can significantly alter the pronunciation and meaning of the words.
Distance Dissimilation Examples
Distance dissimilation involves changes between sounds that are separated by one or more intervening sounds. The following table provides examples of words where distance dissimilation occurs, along with descriptions of the sounds involved and the resulting change.
| Word | Original Sounds | Dissimilated Sounds | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Library | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped | The first /r/ sound is omitted to reduce the repetition of the same sound within the word. |
| February | /r/ and /r/ | First /r/ is dropped | The first /r/ sound is omitted to reduce the repetition of the same sound within the word. |
| Worcestershire | /r/ and /ʃ/ | /r/ is dropped | The /r/ sound is dropped to simplify pronunciation, even though it is not adjacent to the /ʃ/ sound. |
| Uncomfortable | /m/ and /f/ | /m/ becomes /n/ | The nasal /m/ changes to /n/ due to the presence of the fricative /f/ later in the word. |
| Government | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ becomes /l/ | The liquid /r/ changes to /l/ to avoid similarity with the nasal /n/ later in the word. |
| Surprise | /r/ and /s/ | /r/ becomes /l/ | The liquid /r/ changes to /l/ to create greater distinction from the /s/ sound later in the word. |
| Anniversary | /n/ and /r/ | /n/ is dropped | The nasal /n/ is dropped to avoid similarity with the liquid /r/ later in the word. |
| Military | /l/ and /r/ | /l/ is dropped | The liquid /l/ is dropped to reduce articulatory effort, even though it is not adjacent to the /r/ sound. |
| Aluminum (British) | /m/ and /n/ | /m/ is dropped | The nasal /m/ is omitted to reduce nasal consonant repetition separated by other sounds. |
| Particular | /l/ and /r/ | /l/ is dropped | The liquid /l/ is omitted to reduce articulatory effort, even though it is not adjacent to the /r/ sound. |
| Probably (Casual) | /b/ and /b/ | First /b/ becomes /p/ | The stop /b/ changes to /p/ to differentiate the sounds further apart in the word. |
| Identity | /n/ and /t/ | /n/ becomes /m/ | The nasal /n/ changes to /m/ to reduce similarity with the following /t/ later in the word. |
| Temperature | /p/ and /r/ | /p/ is dropped | The stop /p/ is omitted, simplifying the consonant cluster even though it is not adjacent to the /r/ sound. |
| Veterinarian | /r/ and /n/ | /r/ is dropped | The liquid /r/ is dropped to reduce repetition of similar sounds separated by other sounds. |
These examples demonstrate that distance dissimilation can occur even when the sounds involved are not immediately adjacent. The presence of intervening sounds can influence the likelihood and the type of dissimilation that occurs.
Usage Rules of Dissimilation
The usage rules of dissimilation are complex and vary depending on the language, dialect, and specific phonetic context. However, some general principles can be identified.
Dissimilation typically occurs when two similar sounds are perceived as being too close together, either physically or phonetically. The goal is to increase the distinctiveness of the sounds and make the word easier to pronounce or understand.
One common rule is that dissimilation is more likely to occur in rapid speech or in casual conversation. When speakers are speaking quickly, they may be more likely to simplify their pronunciation by dissimilating sounds.
Another rule is that dissimilation is often influenced by the surrounding sounds. The phonetic environment can either promote or inhibit dissimilation.
For example, a sound might be more likely to undergo dissimilation if it is surrounded by other sounds that are similar to it.
Exceptions to the rules of dissimilation are also common. Some words or phrases may resist dissimilation due to historical factors or prescriptive rules.
For example, some speakers may consciously try to avoid dissimilation in certain contexts, particularly in formal settings. It is important to remember that dissimilation is a variable process, and its occurrence can depend on a variety of factors.
Common Mistakes with Dissimilation
One of the most common mistakes when dealing with dissimilation is confusing it with assimilation. While both are phonological processes that alter sounds, they operate in opposite directions.
Assimilation makes sounds more similar, while dissimilation makes them less similar. Another common mistake is failing to recognize the subtle nature of dissimilation.
The changes involved can be small and difficult to detect, especially for non-native speakers.
Another frequent error is assuming that dissimilation is a random or arbitrary process. While it may seem unpredictable at times, dissimilation is governed by specific rules and principles.
Ignoring these rules can lead to incorrect analyses of pronunciation patterns. Finally, many learners fail to account for dialectal variation in dissimilation.
The rules and patterns of dissimilation can vary significantly between different dialects of English, so it is important to be aware of these differences.
Here are some examples of correct and incorrect analyses:
| Word | Incorrect Analysis | Correct Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| Library (Pronounced without the first /r/) | Assimilation of /r/ sounds | Distance dissimilation: Dropping the first /r/ to avoid repetition |
| Colonel (Pronounced /ˈkɜːrnəl/) | Random sound change | Manner dissimilation: /l/ changing to /r/ to avoid similarity with /n/ |
| February (Pronounced without the first /r/) | Simple deletion | Distance dissimilation: Dropping the first /r/ to avoid repetition |
Practice Exercises
These practice exercises are designed to help you identify and analyze instances of dissimilation. Read the words and phrases carefully, and try to determine whether dissimilation has occurred.
If so, identify the type of dissimilation and the sounds involved.
Exercise 1: Identifying Dissimilation
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. Is there dissimilation in the pronunciation of “comfortable” as “comfterble”? If so, what type? | Yes, place dissimilation (dropping the /f/) |
| 2. Is there dissimilation in the pronunciation of “February” without the first “r”? If so, what type? | Yes, distance dissimilation (dropping the first /r/) |
| 3. Is there dissimilation in the pronunciation of “library” without the first “r”? If so, what type? | Yes, distance dissimilation (dropping the first /r/) |
| 4. Is there dissimilation in the pronunciation of “colonel” as /ˈkɜːrnəl/? If so, what type? | Yes, manner dissimilation (/l/ changing to /r/) |
| 5. Is there dissimilation in the pronunciation of “wolves” with a /v/ sound instead of /f/? If so, what type? | Yes, voicing dissimilation (/f/ changing to /v/) |