Assimilation: meaning, definitions and examples

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assimilation

 

[ əˌsɪməˈleɪʃən ]

Noun / Linguistics
Context #1 | Noun

cultural

The process of adapting or adjusting to the customs, attitudes, or values of a different cultural group. It involves blending in with the dominant culture while still maintaining aspects of one's original culture.

Synonyms

acculturation, adaptation, integration

Examples of usage

  • Assimilation of immigrants into American society is a complex and ongoing process.
  • Many second-generation immigrants experience a sense of assimilation as they navigate between their heritage and the mainstream culture.
Context #2 | Linguistics

phonetics

The modification of a sound by its neighboring sounds. It can involve changing the sound to become more similar to a neighboring sound, such as the pronunciation of 'handbag' as /hæmbæɡ/ due to the influence of the following /b/ sound.

Synonyms

phonetic modification, sound change

Examples of usage

  • In the word 'input', the assimilation of the /n/ sound to become more like the following /p/ sound is a common phonetic process.

Translations

Translations of the word "assimilation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 assimilação

🇮🇳 अवशोषण

🇩🇪 Assimilation

🇮🇩 asimilasi

🇺🇦 асиміляція

🇵🇱 asymilacja

🇯🇵 同化 (どうか)

🇫🇷 assimilation

🇪🇸 asimilación

🇹🇷 asimilasyon

🇰🇷 동화 (동화)

🇸🇦 استيعاب

🇨🇿 asimilace

🇸🇰 asimilácia

🇨🇳 同化 (tónghuà)

🇸🇮 asimilacija

🇮🇸 samþætting

🇰🇿 ассимиляция

🇬🇪 ასიმილაცია

🇦🇿 assimilyasiya

🇲🇽 asimilación

Etymology

The word 'assimilation' has its origins in the Latin word 'assimilatio', which means 'likeness' or 'resemblance'. It first appeared in English in the 15th century with a general meaning of 'the act of making similar'. Over time, the term has evolved to encompass various contexts, including cultural assimilation and phonetic assimilation in linguistics.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,901 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.