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19 Dissimilatory phenomena in French word-formation

  • Marc Plénat
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Abstract

The present article provides an overview of the ways in which the universal tendency to avoid the repetition of similar consonants manifests itself in French word-formation. Phonological reactions include consonant dissimilation, truncation, haplology and epenthesis. Morphological reactions may consist in the choice of another suffix or stem, or in the insertion of an interfix. Dissimilation is also shown to play a major role in word games such as “javanais”.

Abstract

The present article provides an overview of the ways in which the universal tendency to avoid the repetition of similar consonants manifests itself in French word-formation. Phonological reactions include consonant dissimilation, truncation, haplology and epenthesis. Morphological reactions may consist in the choice of another suffix or stem, or in the insertion of an interfix. Dissimilation is also shown to play a major role in word games such as “javanais”.

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