Characterization of assimilation process in Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract

The main purpose of this paper is to describe and map the existing assimilation phenomena in Brazilian Portuguese, showing data that support this mapping in order to certify that in this language, assimilation processes occur both from right to left (regressive assimilation) and from left to right (progressive assimilation). We aim to show also that progressive assimilation involving voicing/devoicing often requires that the target is a consonant [+voiced]. Finally, we also treat cases of assimilation involving vowels, which seem to occur bidirectionally.