Dissimileerumine

Dissimileerumine is a term used in linguistics to describe a phonological process where a sound becomes less like an adjacent sound. This is often a form of dissimilation, which is a broader category of sound change where similar sounds become dissimilar. Dissimileerumine specifically focuses on the reduction of similarity. For example, in some languages, two identical consonants might separate over time to prevent a harsh or difficult pronunciation. This can involve one of the consonants changing its place or manner of articulation.

The process can occur in various linguistic contexts, including within a word or across word boundaries. The exact motivation for dissimileerumine is often related to ease of articulation, making speech more fluid and less prone to errors. It is an unconscious process that contributes to the natural evolution of language. While not as common as assimilation, where sounds become more similar, dissimileerumine plays a role in shaping the sound systems of languages. It is distinct from other dissimilation processes that might involve sounds that are not identical but share some phonetic features.