Common assimilation patterns

Question 1

Velar assimilation

Answer 1

Common assimilation pattern
e.g., pack /pæk/ → [kæk]

Question 2

Labial assimilation

Answer 2

Common assimilation pattern
e.g., pig /pɪɡ/ → [pɪp]

Question 3

Assimilation of voice

Answer 3

Common assimilation pattern
Equivalent to context sensitive voicing – process of changing voicing

Two types:

(a) Prevocalic voicing: (Voiceless  voiced) Whereby voiceless consonants are replaced by the voiced counterpart in syllable-initial position in words such as pea /pi/ → [bi]; tea /ti/ → [di]; key /ki/ → [ɡi].
(b) Postvocalic devoicing: (Voiced  voiceless) Substitution of a voiced consonant with the voice-less counterpart in syllable-final position in words such as bib /bɪb/ → [bɪp]; lid /lɪd/ → [lɪt]; bag /bæɡ/ → [bæk]; love /lʌv/ → [lʌf]; buzz / bʌz / → [bʌs]; badge /bæʤ/ → [bæʧ].