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unassimilable

unassimilable

9.6
Unable to change a sound to match nearby sounds when speaking
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌnəˈsɪmɪləbl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : no asimilable
  • The foreign word remained unassimilable in the local dialect, keeping its original pronunciation.

Examples

  • Linguists study why certain consonant clusters are unassimilable in specific languages.

  • Some sounds in this language are unassimilable and do not blend with others in speech.

  • The concept was unassimilable to the local culture.

  • Some sounds in this language are unassimilable for non-native speakers.

  • The foreign word remained unassimilable in the local dialect, keeping its original pronunciation.

  • Some sounds in this language are unassimilable and do not blend with others in speech.

  • Linguists study why certain consonant clusters are unassimilable in specific languages.

Synonyms

inassimilable
vsunassimilable
  • Specialized
9.7

Unable to change so it sounds like nearby sounds

applies also to things that cannot be absorbed or changed beyond speech

How Assimilable

assimilable
  • Specialized
1 8.1
unassimilable
  • Specialized
9.6

Surface Forms

unassimilable positive

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.