alternization

Alternization is a term used in the field of linguistics to describe a process where a language undergoes a change in which a single phoneme (a unit of sound) splits into two distinct phonemes. This process is often observed in the evolution of languages over time. The term "alternization" was coined by linguist Morris Swadesh in 1959.

Alternization typically occurs when a single phoneme in a language's phonemic inventory becomes two distinct phonemes in certain contexts. For example, in the history of English, the phoneme /r/ has alternized, leading to the development of the phonemes /r/ and /ɹ/ (the latter being the "r" sound in words like "run" and "red").

The process of alternization can be influenced by various factors, including phonetic changes, phonological rules, and historical developments within a language. It is a common phenomenon in the evolution of languages and contributes to the diversity of sounds and patterns found in different languages.

Alternization is distinct from other phonological processes such as assimilation, where one sound changes to resemble a neighboring sound, or dissimilation, where sounds change to be distinct from neighboring sounds. While alternization involves the splitting of a single phoneme into two, assimilation and dissimilation involve the modification of sounds based on their context.