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Assimilation: When Two Sounds Combine

Stress

Introduction to Stress
Word Stress & Suffixes
Nouns & Verbs
Abbreviations
Can versus Can’t
Stress in Numbers

Rhythm & Thought Groups

Introduction to Rhythm & Thought Groups
Thought Groups and Pausing
Focus Words & Prominence
Content & Function Words
Reduced Speech
Contrasting Information
Highlighting Information
Introducing Information
Style & Tone
Speaking Rate

Linking & Connected Speech

Introduction to Linking & Connected Speech
Consonant to Consonant Linking
Consonant to Vowel Linking
Deletion: Simplifying Consonant Clusters
Assimilation: When Two Sounds Combine

Intonation

Certainty and Uncertainty
Yes/No Questions
Requests for Clarification
Open and Closed-Choice Questions
Tag Questions
Wh-Questions
Sarcasm

Another common phenomenon in connected speech is assimilation: when two sounds become more similar to one another because they are spoken consecutively. This process makes it easier to pronounce combinations of sounds, which helps build your fluency.

One common type of assimilation occurs in the example below. Focus on the two words “could” and “you.”

Could you give me that book on accounting?

“Coujoogimmethatbookonaccounting?”

You probably noticed that the /d/ sound in “could” and the /y/ sound in “yet” combined to make a /dʒ/ sound (“Coujoo”). This is because of a type of assimilation called palatalization. This happens with other sounds and sound combinations, too. When a word ending in a /d/, /z/, or /dz/ sound is followed by a word beginning with the /y/ sound, the two sounds assimilate and palatalization occurs. Below are some rules to help you visualize this:

/d/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Would you like to come in?

/dz/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Here are the records your friend wants.

/z/ + /y/ = /ʒ/ Is your train on time?

Here are some additional examples of this type of assimilation. Listen to them, paying attention to the sounds that palatalize.

/d/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Would you mind?
/d/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Had you ever been there before?
/d/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ What did you do last weekend?
/d/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Mr. Kim wanted you to call him.
/z/ + /y/ = /ʒ/ Does your roommate cook?
/z/ + /y/ = /ʒ/ Has your plane landed?
/dz/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ He reads you a book.
/dz/ + /y/ = /dʒ/ Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.

Practice 1

To practice recognizing palatalization, listen to each of the recordings below, and write down what you hear. Then, click the answer button to see if what you wrote matches what the speaker said.

  1. Click here for the answers
    1. Where did you get that?
    2. I read your paper.
    3. Could you move, please?

     
    The palatalization patterns above have voiceless counterparts, as well. When a word ending in a /t/, /s/, or /ts/ sound is followed by a word beginning with the /y/ sound, the two sounds assimilate.

    /t/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ I’ll beat you there!

    /ts/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ When she meets you, she’ll love you.

    /s/ + /y/ = /ʃ/ You need to face your fears.

    Here are some additional examples of these palatalization patterns. Listen to them, paying attention to the sounds that palatalize.

    /ts/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ What’s your name?
    /ts/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ It’s your lucky day.
    /ts/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ I’m sorry this hurts you.
    /t/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ Isn’t that your friend?
    /t/ + /y/ = /tʃ/ I met you yesterday.
    /s/ + /y/ = /ʃ/ I hope you pass your class.
    /s/ + /y/ = /ʃ/ Don’t miss your train!

    Practice 2

    To practice recognizing palatalization, listen to each of the recordings below, and write down what you hear. Then, click the answer button to see if what you wrote matches what the speaker said.

    1. Click here for the answers
      1. That’s your notebook, right?
      2. How about you?
      3. What’s your WiFi password?

     
    Here are some common phrases and questions with palatalization. Listen to each, then practice and record yourself.

    Could you do me a favor?
    How’s your family?
    What did you do yesterday?
    How did you do that?
    I’m going to miss you.
    When did you get here?
    What’s your number?
    What’s your class schedule?
    I’ve heard a lot about you.
    What (are) you doing? The “are” is sometimes dropped first, due to reduced speech.

    Practice 3

    Listen to the dialogue between Jessie and Siqi talking about their Fall class schedules. You can listen as many times as you want. Write down exactly what they say, using the correct spelling of all the words. Then, underline places where palatalization occurs.

    1. Jessie:

      Siqi:

      Jessie:

      Siqi:

      Jessie:

      Siqi:

      Jessie:

      Click here for the answers
      Jessie: So, what are you taking this Fall?

      Siqi: Well, the management class I wanted filled up, so I guess I need an elective. What about you?

      Jessie: A lot of classes. But you should take Stats.

      Siqi: Who did you take it with?

      Jessie: Ramirez. I think I told you about her before.

      Siqi: Did you like her?

      Jessie: Yeah, she’s a great teacher.

What do you do now?

First, remember to focus on the sounds at the beginning of words, and also on word stress, to help you identify words in streams of speech. These cues tend to be more reliable than the ends of words, because of processes like palatalization.

Second, schedule an appointment with a Speech Consultant to check your understanding of palatalization. Ask him or her to help you recognize palatalization in authentic spoken English, like in TED Talks, and monitor your speech for areas where using palatalization would help you speak more intelligibly.

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