palatalization
|pal-a-ta-li-za-tion|
/ˌpæl.ə.təˈlaɪˈzeɪ.ʃən/
making sounds toward the palate
Etymology
'palatalization' originates from Latin, specifically from the adjective 'palatālis' (from 'palatum'), where 'palatum' meant 'palate (roof of the mouth)'. The modern English form is formed by combining 'palatal' + '-ize' + '-ation'.
'palatalization' developed from the verb 'palatalize' (formed in the 19th century from 'palatal' + '-ize'), and 'palatal' itself comes from Latin 'palatālis' (from 'palatum'). Over time these forms entered English through scientific/linguistic usage.
Initially related simply to 'relating to the palate' (physical sense), it evolved to denote the specific phonetic/phonological process or resulting quality of sounds in linguistic contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the phonological process by which a consonant sound becomes closer to a palatal sound (either by moving the place of articulation toward the hard palate or acquiring a palatal secondary articulation).
The palatalization of /k/ before the front vowel /i/ led to the development of /tʃ/ in that language.
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Noun 2
the state or result of a sound becoming palatal or palatalized (a phonetic quality of a consonant showing palatal articulation).
Linguists noted the palatalization of the consonant, which gave it a softer, palatal quality.
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Last updated: 2025/09/23 01:09