palatalize

Palatalize is a technical verb meaning to make a sound palatal or shift its place of articulation toward the hard palate. It is especially used for a phonological process in which a consonant at the back of the mouth, such as a velar consonant, moves forward toward a palatal position. The context in which the change occurs may be phonological, such as a front vowel or a preceding glide influencing the following consonant, or developmental, as when children produce an adult sound with an earlier, more forward articulation. Palatalize belongs mainly to phonetics, phonology, and the historical study of sound change, so readers encountering it in general prose may prefer the broader term soften. The related noun palatalization names either the process itself or its result. The word is useful when describing how small differences in articulation can distinguish one sound, dialect, or stage of language development from another.

To make a sound palatal, especially by shifting the place of articulation of a consonant toward the hard palate.

Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.

Where does palatalize come from?

Palatalize was formed in English from palatal and the productive suffix -ize. Palatal is based on Latin palatum, meaning “roof of the mouth,” the same Latin word that underlies palate through Old French. Palatize is a less common variant of the verb, while palatalization is the corresponding noun for the process or its result.

Related word forms

How palatalize is actually used

This is primarily a specialist term used in phonetics, phonology, and historical linguistics. In general discussion, softer may be more accessible. Both palatalize and palatalise are standard spellings, with -ize especially common in American English and -ise especially common in British English.

Easily confused with palatalize

What's another word for palatalize?

Words and phrases paired with palatalize