Local Assimilation

Definition

Local assimilation is the process of two adjacent sounds becoming more alike as a result of phonotactic constraints. Complete assimilation is when two segments become identical, whereas partial assimilation is when two segments become more alike, though not identical (Zsiga, 2013, p. 235).

Examples

Hul’q’umi’num’: Suffixes which contain /n/ word-initially become /l/ when combined with a root that has a word-final /l/.

• The transitive suffix /-nəxʷ/ ‘limited control’ appears as /-ləxʷ/ when suffixed onto an /l/ word-final root; for example, /cə́l-ləxʷ/ ‘catch up with him’, where the assimilated phoneme is in bold (Suttles, 2003, p. 19).

Secwepemctsin: Simple velars are replaced by their labialized counterparts when directly adjacent to rounded vowels or consonants. The following example is from Gibson (1973. p. 16).

• /xətəq’ʷúsiʔ/ becomes  [x-tq’-ús-n-ʔ] ‘I plugged it’