Dissimulation vs. Dissimilation — What's the Difference?

Dissimulation is a term most commonly used to describe deceptive behavior or speech designed to disguise one's true feelings, motives, or actions. Dissimilation, on the other hand, is a technical term in linguistics referring to the process of changing adjacent similar sounds within words to make them less alike. Dissimulation is often considered a form of dishonesty, while dissimilation is simply a phonological phenomenon that happens naturally in languages.

Dissimulation is closely related to the concepts of deceit, lying, and concealment. It involves presenting a false image or withholding the truth to achieve a particular outcome. Dissimilation in linguistics, however, is devoid of any moral or ethical connotations. It is a process that contributes to the evolution of language, making words easier to pronounce or distinguish.

In the realm of human behavior, dissimulation can be viewed negatively, as it often involves deceit. Dissimilation is morally neutral; it’s just a feature of how languages change and adapt over time. Thus, dissimulation has an ethical dimension, whereas dissimilation does not.

In summary, dissimulation and dissimilation serve different purposes in different contexts. Dissimulation is about hiding true feelings or intentions, usually for self-gain or to avoid negative consequences. Dissimilation is a linguistic phenomenon that alters word forms for ease of pronunciation. They are entirely different terms that operate in different realms—behavioral psychology for dissimulation and linguistics for dissimilation.