Coalescent assimilation

The process of yod coalescence is a process of reciprocal assimilation by which the alveolar plosives and fricatives /t,d,s,z/ coalesce with a contiguous /j/ to form the sounds /tʃ, dʒ, ʃ, ʒ/ respectively. This process can happen at a historical level, by which the only possible pronunciation of words such as soldieror nature is with the coalesced form [səʊldʒə] and [neɪtʃə], and also at a contextual level, where it is a source of variation. Yod coalescence at a contextual level can take place within the word, in words such as duty [djuːti – dʒuːti] and tune [tjuːn – tʃuːn], and also across word boundaries, especially with phrases involving you, as in told you [təʊld ju – təʊldʒu] and let you [ let ju -letʃu].

More information and examples of yod coalescence here.


Hey mate, you lef[tʃ]our guitar in my house last night so, I’ve got it here, but I’m gonna be late for work, now…Woul[dʒ]ou? Oh, are you serious? Yes, it’s righthere, I’m outside now. Are you still on your “no phone, no internet”? Well, becau[ʒj]ou were were telling me that this is something that I should do in my life… I got my firs(t) phone when I was nineteen twen(t)y… Can I say, I was feeling so nervous about coming on this show, because, like, I couldn’t see what was funny about me singing my songs in a car. But you’re great! No, I know but, … brining out a guitar and it’s a lot more comfortable… but I was definitely like… Why d[dʒ]ou think that is, that you feel in your most comfortable with you guitar…	So, I guess thi[ʃj]ear, yeah, everyone gets their trials and everyone gets their…
Get your [getʃɔː] melons, get your [getʃɔː] eggplants… do you [dʒu] know that Harry Style song…	Compare the two instances of the sentence “I just haven’t met you yet. The first one is [metju] and the second one is [metʃu].