Phonetic assimilation is a linguistic phenomenon where a sound in a word changes to become more like a neighboring sound. This process often occurs to make pronunciation easier and more fluid. For example, in the phrase “ten bikes,” the /n/ in “ten” may become more like the /b/ in “bikes,” resulting in a pronunciation that sounds closer to “tem bikes.” This assimilation can happen in various languages and can affect consonants and vowels. It is a natural part of speech that helps maintain the rhythm and flow of language. Understanding phonetic assimilation can enhance language learning and improve pronunciation skills.