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Metathesis is a linguistic phenomenon where syllables in a word are rearranged to create a new word. It is one of many sound changes studied in phonology, which identifies patterns in language. Epenthesis involves adding sounds or syllables to a word, while Spoonerisms swap the initial sounds of adjacent words. Metathesis occurs without adding sounds or syllables and can be a result of dialect differences or evolving language. Examples include the pronunciation of “cavalry” as “calvary” and the spelling differences between British and American English for “theatre”.
Metathesis is one of several linguistic phenomena recognized in phonology. Such phenomena typically involve adding, deleting, or rearranging sounds, letters, or syllables in a word or phrase. Specifically, metathesis occurs when the syllables of a particular word are changed, reversed, or otherwise rearranged to create a new word, usually closely related to the original. For example, in English, metathesis occurs most often in the pronunciation of words like “cavalry,” which is commonly pronounced “calvary,” with the central syllable sounds rearranged.
To further explain metathesis and similar linguistic phenomena, researchers look to phonology. Phonology is the overall study of sounds and associated rules for various languages. Within phonology, linguistic experts have identified specific and recurring patterns relating to the interaction of various sounds in a particular language. Virtually all languages feature examples of metathesis or other language patterns, in both spoken and written communications.
Through the continuous study of phonology, experts have identified occurrences of phenomena such as metathesis, epenthesis and Spoonerisms in both written and spoken language around the world. While closely related and easily confused, sound changes due to metathesis should not be confused with other linguistic phenomena. Many features appear to be similar, although key features clearly delineate each phenomenon.
Epenthesis involves adding letters, sounds or whole syllables to a word. Poetry and other metrical literature are the most common reasons for changing a word via epenthesis. Spoonerisms swap the initial sounds or syllables of two adjacent words within a sentence. First identified by a priest named William Spooner, such changes are typically the result of a person unintentionally mispronouncing a sentence.
Alternatively, metathesis simply takes existing sounds and syllables in a word and changes their position within the word. No further letters, sounds or syllables are added. The other words within the sentence remain unchanged and are largely unaffected by a single word change. In some cases, the phenomenon occurs simply as a difference in dialects.
One such illustration is the differences between British and American words like “theatre.” Both Americans and British pronounce the word with the same meter and stressed syllables. The spelling, on the other hand, changes according to the country of origin. The British spelling of the word rearranges the last two letters “er” to “re”, resulting in the word “theatre”.
Further examples occur in both verbal and written form, often as a language’s lexicon evolves. “Asterisk” in English has evolved over time to become pronounced as “asteriks” or “asterix”. The French evolved the form into fromage. Many instances of such metathesis result from initial spelling mistakes or mispronouncing existing words. Over time, misspellings and pronunciations are often accepted as informal variations of a particular word.
