ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G03-043 · ATLAS 259

Consonance

Consonance is the patterned recurrence of similar consonants in salient positions.

Part of the subject path Sound, Phonetics and Phonology

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

F · Figure / procedure R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Consonance adds recurring consonants as a designed sound relation alongside alliteration and rhyme. Accidental occurrence of the same sounds does not establish a salient patterned relation.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

Consonance here means the recurrence of identical or similar consonant sounds in neighbouring or related expressions. It can establish a sound pattern without producing a full rhyme. Its precise boundary with alliteration and other repetitions depends on the descriptive tradition; an analysis should state whether particular word positions are required. Sound rather than spelling supplies the relevant evidence. This entry uses the literary term and separates it from musical consonance. Recurrence alone also establishes neither a particular mood nor demonstrable authorial intention.

Movement of thought

1. Examine a passage's pronunciation. 2. Mark recurring consonants. 3. Compare their positions. 4. Record other sound patterns separately. 5. Argue for contextual effects.

Scientific use case

Stylistic analysis can count patterns and test whether they concentrate at significant points in a text.

Example

The editorial pair “blank / blink” repeats /b/, /l/, /ŋ/ and /k/ with a different vowel. It illustrates consonantal correspondence without full rhyme.

Counterexample

Identical letters with different pronunciations are insufficient evidence of sound repetition.

Distinction

Distinguish literary consonance from musical consonance, assonance, alliteration and full rhyme.

Effect on thought and perception

Recurring consonants can create audible relationships between expressions.

Resonance

A consonantal frame remains recognisable as the vowel changes and another word emerges.

Provenance

Parallel source review reconciled 2026-10-07; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Consonance“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G03-043. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-043

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G03-043

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.