Definition

The rules that determine how sounds can be combined in a particular language.

Example

In English, the phonotactics do not allow certain sound combinations at the beginning of words.

Conversation

Have you ever thought about how phonotactics works in different languages?

Yeah, it's interesting! I read that some languages allow sounds together that English doesn’t.

Exactly! Like the cluster 'zv' — it’s cool how that varies between languages.

Right? It really shows how unique each language can be.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Phonotactics → It is formed from "phono-" (from Greek "phōnē", meaning sound) and "tactics" (from Greek "taktikos", meaning relating to arrangement). The word refers to the rules governing the permissible combinations of sounds in a particular language.

Memory Tip

Think of 'sound' ('phono-') and 'arrangement' ('taktikos') to remember that phonotactics deals with how sounds can be arranged in a language.

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