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Palatalize: meaning, definitions and examples

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palatalize

 

[ pəˈlætəlʌɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

phonetics process

To palatalize means to modify a sound or letter in such a way that it is pronounced with the body of the tongue raised against the hard palate. This linguistic phenomenon typically occurs in various languages when consonants become more like the palatal sounds. Palatalization is an important aspect in phonetics as it can change the meaning of words depending on the language. It is most commonly observed with the letters 'k', 'g', and 'n', which change their pronunciation when followed by certain vowels.

Synonyms

articulate, modify, soften

Examples of usage

  • The letter 'd' can palatalize before 'i'.
  • In Russian, the consonants are often palatalized.
  • He studied how languages palatalize their sounds.
  • Palatalization can change the meaning in some dialects.

Translations

Translations of the word "palatalize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 palatalizar

🇮🇳 पैलटेलाइज करना

🇩🇪 palatalisieren

🇮🇩 palatalisasi

🇺🇦 палаталізувати

🇵🇱 palatalizować

🇯🇵 口蓋化する

🇫🇷 palataliser

🇪🇸 palatalizar

🇹🇷 palatalleştirmek

🇰🇷 경구개화하다

🇸🇦 تجويف الحنك

🇨🇿 palatalizovat

🇸🇰 palatalizovať

🇨🇳 腭化

🇸🇮 palatalizirati

🇮🇸 palatalísera

🇰🇿 пала́тализация

🇬🇪 პალატალიზაცია

🇦🇿 palatalizasiya

🇲🇽 palatalizar

Word origin

The term 'palatalize' originates from the Latin word 'palatum,' meaning 'palate.' The process of palatalization has been noted since the study of phonetics began, as linguists observed how sounds change in different contexts. The concept was further developed in the 19th century with the rise of modern linguistics. As languages evolved, researchers documented the significance of palatal sounds, especially in the phonological systems of numerous languages across the world. The understanding of palatalization has implications not only for linguistics but also for the fields of speech pathology and language acquisition.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #43,140, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.