Written by Dyami Millarson

I may realise the Dutch noun grond ground as [ˈɣr̪ˠɔ̃n̪t̪ ~ ˈɣr̪ˠɔ̃ⁿt̪]. The velarisation of the dental voiced alveolar trill [r̪] in my pronunciation is caused by assimilation with the preceding voiced velar fricative. The prenalised t occurs in fast speech when I realise the word-final -nd /nt/ as a single consonant, resulting in a plosive which is prenasalised. I may, however, pronounce the n truly as a separate consonant in careful speech.

Consonantal assimilation means that my Dutch consonants are picking up traits from neighbouring Dutch consonants, especially during fast-paced speech. Other examples of assimilation in my Dutch include the velarised voiceless r in erg [ˈʔɛr̪̥ˠx] very, bad and the voiceless r in hert [ˈɦɛr̪̥t̪] deer, hart. In the former case, there is assimilation with a following voiceless velar consonant and in the latter case, there is assimilation with a following voiceless consonant.