prosenic

Prosenic is a term used in the field of linguistics and phonetics to describe a type of sound change that occurs in a language. Specifically, it refers to the process by which a sound or sequence of sounds becomes more similar to the sounds of the surrounding language or dialect. This phenomenon is often observed in the context of language contact, where speakers of different languages or dialects come into contact and influence each other's speech patterns.

Prosenic changes can manifest in various ways, including the simplification of consonant clusters, the loss of certain phonetic features, or the adoption of new sounds from the surrounding language. These changes can occur gradually over time as speakers adapt to the phonetic environment of their community. Prosenic changes are particularly relevant in the study of language variation and change, as they provide insights into how languages evolve and adapt in response to external influences.

The term "prosenic" was coined by the linguist William Labov in the 1960s to describe this type of sound change. Labov's work on prosenic changes has been influential in the field of sociolinguistics, as it highlights the role of social factors in shaping the phonetic characteristics of a language. By studying prosenic changes, linguists can better understand the complex interplay between language, culture, and society.