unassimilable
- adjective
- /ˌʌnəˈsɪmɪləbl/
- Specialized
- The foreign word remained unassimilable in the local dialect, keeping its original pronunciation.
Examples
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Linguists study why certain consonant clusters are unassimilable in specific languages.
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Some sounds in this language are unassimilable and do not blend with others in speech.
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The concept was unassimilable to the local culture.
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Some sounds in this language are unassimilable for non-native speakers.
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The foreign word remained unassimilable in the local dialect, keeping its original pronunciation.
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Some sounds in this language are unassimilable and do not blend with others in speech.
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Linguists study why certain consonant clusters are unassimilable in specific languages.
Synonyms
Unable to change so it sounds like nearby sounds
How Assimilable
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
unassimilable = assimilable (transparent) = un + assimilate + able
Formed by adding the negative prefix 'un-' to 'assimilable' (assimilate + -able), a regular and semantically clear process.
Etymology
Unassimilable comes from un- 'not' and assimilable, which comes from a root meaning 'make similar' and is the same root as similar. So in language it describes a sound that cannot 'change to be like' the sounds next to it and therefore does not blend in speech.