assonância

Assonância is a literary device and a form of figurative language characterized by the repetition of similar vowel sounds within words in close proximity. It is a type of consonance, a broader category that includes the repetition of consonant sounds as well, but assonância specifically focuses on vowels. The purpose of assonância is often to create a musical or rhythmic effect within a text, to emphasize certain words or ideas, or to evoke a particular mood or atmosphere.

The effect of assonância can be subtle, contributing to the overall flow and texture of a poem or prose. Unlike rhyme, which typically involves both vowel and consonant sounds matching at the end of words, assonância can occur anywhere within a word, and it focuses solely on the vowel sound. For example, in the phrase "the r**ai**n in Sp**ai**n falls m**ai**nly on the pl**ai**n," the repetition of the long "a" sound creates assonância.

This technique is commonly found in poetry, where its repetitive nature can enhance the poem's musicality and memorability. It can also be employed in prose, particularly in more lyrical or descriptive passages, to add a layer of sonic richness. The specific vowel sound repeated, and the words in which it appears, can influence the overall impact and interpretation of the text. Writers use assonância to draw attention to particular phrases, create a sense of unity, or simply to make their writing more pleasing to the ear.