Hyphenation ofself-centeredness
Syllable Division:
self-cen-tered-ness
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌselfˈsentədəndəs/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0100
Primary stress falls on the second syllable ('cen'). The first, third, and fourth syllables are unstressed.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, primary stress.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: self
Old English, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.
Root: center
Latin *centrum* via French, core concept.
Suffix: -ed
Old English, adjective forming suffix.
The quality of being preoccupied with oneself and one's affairs; egotism.
Examples:
"His self-centeredness made it difficult to maintain a relationship."
"The politician's self-centeredness was evident in his disregard for public opinion."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar structure with a base word and '-ness' suffix.
Simpler structure, single syllable root, '-ness' suffix.
Similar to the target word, but without the 'self-' prefix.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant Division
Syllables are often divided after a vowel followed by a consonant(s).
Compound Word Stress
Stress tends to fall on the first element of a compound word, but can shift based on morphological structure.
Suffix Division
Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The compound nature of the word influences stress and syllable division.
The '-ed' suffix functioning adjectivally before '-ness' is a key point.
Summary:
The word 'self-centeredness' is divided into four syllables: self-cen-tered-ness. It's a compound noun formed from the prefix 'self-', root 'center', and suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Primary stress falls on the second syllable ('cen'). Syllable division follows vowel-consonant rules and considers the compound structure.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-centeredness" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:
The word "self-centeredness" is a complex noun formed through compounding and suffixation. Its pronunciation in GB English is approximately /ˌselfˈsentədəndəs/. The word presents challenges due to the compound structure and the presence of multiple suffixes.
2. Syllable Division:
Following GB English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):
self-cen-tered-ness
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
- Root: center (Latin centrum, via French) - the core concept of a focal point or core.
- Suffix: -ed (Old English) - past participle/adjective forming suffix. In this case, it forms an adjective.
- Suffix: -ness (Old English) - noun-forming suffix denoting a state or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the second syllable: cen. The stress pattern is indicative of the compound structure.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌselfˈsentədəndəs/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "-tered" can sometimes be ambiguous, but in this case, the stress on "cen" clearly separates it from the following syllables. The "-ed" suffix is functioning adjectivally, modifying "center" before the addition of "-ness".
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-centeredness" functions primarily as a noun. While "self-centered" can function as an adjective, the addition of "-ness" solidifies its noun status. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of the adjective form.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality of being preoccupied with oneself and one's affairs; egotism.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: egotism, selfishness, narcissism, conceit
- Antonyms: altruism, selflessness, humility
- Examples: "His self-centeredness made it difficult to maintain a relationship." "The politician's self-centeredness was evident in his disregard for public opinion."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- "happiness": hap-pi-ness. Similar structure with a base word and "-ness" suffix. Stress falls on the first syllable. Difference: "self-centeredness" is a compound, influencing stress placement.
- "kindness": kind-ness. Simpler structure, single syllable root. Stress on the first syllable. Difference: Compound root in "self-centeredness" shifts stress.
- "centeredness": cen-tered-ness. Similar to the target word, but without the "self-" prefix. Stress on the first syllable. Difference: The addition of "self-" shifts the stress.
10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:
- self: /self/ - Open syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Initial syllable of a compound.
- cen: /sen/ - Closed syllable, primary stress. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Stress placement in compound words.
- tered: /təd/ - Closed syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Part of a larger suffix.
- ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable, unstressed. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Common suffix.
11. Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are often divided after a vowel followed by a consonant.
- Compound Word Stress: Stress tends to fall on the first element of a compound word, but can shift based on morphological structure.
- Suffix Division: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
12. Special Considerations:
The compound nature of the word is the primary special consideration. The "self-" prefix influences the stress pattern and syllable division. The "-ed" suffix functioning adjectivally before "-ness" is also a key point.
13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "centered" to a schwa /ə/, resulting in /ˌselfˈsentədəndəs/. This doesn't significantly alter the syllable division.
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What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.
This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.
With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.