Assimilation
A connected speech process where a sound becomes more similar to an adjacent sound, changing its phonetic properties. Assimilation makes articulation easier by reducing differences between neighbouring sounds.
Real World
When football commentators rapidly say 'ten goals' and the /n/ in 'ten' shifts to /ŋ/ to match the velar /ɡ/ in 'goals', this place assimilation makes their rapid delivery smoother without listeners noticing.
Exam Focus
Identify the direction of assimilation (progressive or regressive) and state which phonetic feature changed.
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