What is assimilation in phonological process ?

Assimilation in phonological processes refers to the process by which a sound becomes more like a neighboring sound in terms of one or more of its phonetic characteristics. This can occur when a sound changes its pronunciation to become more similar to a nearby sound in a word or phrase. Assimilation can involve changes in features such as voicing, place of articulation, or manner of articulation. It is a common phenomenon in language and can occur in both natural speech and in language learning.

Assimilation in phonological process refers to the process where one sound changes to become more similar to an adjacent sound. This can happen in various ways:

1. Progressive Assimilation: When a sound changes to become more similar to the following sound. For example, in the word "comfort," the "t" sound becomes more similar to the following "f" sound, resulting in the pronunciation "comf-fort."

2. Regressive Assimilation: When a sound changes to become more similar to the preceding sound. For example, in the word "explain," the "t" sound becomes more similar to the preceding "n" sound, resulting in the pronunciation "exp-lain."

3. Coalescence: When two sounds become blended together into a single sound. For example, in the word "pick," the "t" and "k" sounds may coalesce into a single "k" sound.

Assimilation is a common phonological process that occurs in many languages. It can affect various speech sounds, including stops, fricatives, nasals, and liquids. The extent and types of assimilation vary across languages and dialects.