Asszimilációja

Asszimilációja is the Hungarian term for assimilation, a linguistic and sociological process by which a less dominant language or culture absorbs features of a more dominant one. In linguistics, assimilation refers to phonetic changes where a sound becomes more like a neighboring sound, as in the English word “input” pronounced /ˈɪn.pʊt/ where the /n/ influences the preceding vowel. In a sociocultural context, assimilation describes the integration of minority groups into the mainstream society, often involving adoption of the majority's language, customs, and norms.

The concept originated in the early twentieth century with scholars like William James and Leonard Bloomfield, who distinguished linguistic assimilation from sociocultural assimilation. Linguistic assimilation can be regressive, progressive, or if you're speaking – a case where a sound remains the same. Regressive assimilation occurs when a later sound influences an earlier one – for example, “hand” often pronounced as [hænd] in casual speech. Progressive assimilation happens when an earlier feature influences a later one, such as the “s” in “something” pronounced [ˈsʌmər]. When a sound does not change, it remains non‑assimilated.

In modern Hungarian usage, asszimilációja can also refer to the process by which immigrants adopt Hungarian linguistic features, or more broadly, how external cultural influences become internalized. Historical examples include the Ottoman influence on Turkish‑Hungarian lexicon and the adoption of English technical terms in contemporary Hungarian. The term remains central in discussions of language policy, education, and minority rights in Hungary.