Phonetic Changes

Phonetic Changes¶

There are six types of phonetic changes that happen in Sandhi. Some of them you have already seen, but now you can put a name to them.

1. Assimilation

2. Adaption

3. Metathesis

4. Epenthesis (insertion)

5. Aspiration

6. Simplification

1. Assimilation happens when two consonants come into contact with each other. There are three types

1. Progressive Assimilation

√dam + ya > damma (ptp. to be tamed)

√budh + ta > budhta > buddha (pp. known)

1. Regressive Assimilation

√tap + ta > tatta (pp. heated)

ud + √pad + na > uppanna (pp. arisen)

1. Reciprocal Assimilation (mutual)

√labh + ta > labhta > laddha (pp. obtained)

√jīr + na > jiṇṇa (adj. old)

(mainly for ease in pronunciation)

1. Adaption occurs when a consonant changes from the influence of another consonant. We have seen this with nasal consonants

saṃ + tiṭṭhati > santiṭṭhati

saṃ + jānāti > sañjānāti

2. Metathesis is the interchange of two consonants

ava + √ruh + ya > oruhya > oruyha (ger. descending)

na + pa + √cal + a > apacala > acapala (adj. not shaking)

kareyya > kariyā > kayirā (should do)

3. Epenthesis is the insertion of a letter in the middle of a word.

śrī (sk) > sirī (f. good luck)

hrī (sk) > hirī (f. conscience)

√nhā + ta > nahāta (pp. bathed)

pa + √hā + tvāna + pahantvāna (abs. having given up)

4. Aspiration an -h- is added

√as + ti > atti > atthi (pr. there is)

√is + ta > iṭṭa > iṭṭha (pp. wished, desired)

5. Simplification involves reducing three consonants in a group to two, or two to one.

√kar + tuṃ > kattuṃ > kātuṃ

dukkha > dukha

What are the six types of phonetic changes?

Assimilation

• Progressive Assimilation
• Regressive Assimilation

• Reciprocal Assimilation

  Adaption

  Metathesis

  Epenthesis

  Aspiration

  Simplification

These are the general types of phonetic changes that can occur, let’s look at more specific examples.