Hyphenation ofself-complaisance
Syllable Division:
self-com-plai-sans
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌself kɒmpleɪˈsɑːns/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('plai' in 'complaisance').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, onset 's', nucleus 'e', coda 'lf'
Closed syllable, onset 'c', nucleus 'o', coda 'm'
Diphthong syllable, onset 'pl', nucleus 'eɪ'
Closed syllable, onset 's', nucleus 'ɑː', coda 'ns'
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: complais
French, ultimately from Latin *complacere* - 'to please'
Suffix: ance
French, ultimately from Latin *-antia*, noun-forming suffix
The quality or state of being pleased with oneself; self-satisfaction.
Examples:
"His self-complaisance was irritating to those around him."
"She showed a disturbing level of self-complaisance after winning the award."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar stress pattern.
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar stress pattern.
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar stress pattern.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset Maximization
Prioritizing consonants as onsets whenever possible.
VCC Rule
Allowing consonant clusters in the coda (end) of a syllable.
Diphthong Rule
Treating diphthongs as single nuclei.
Avoid Stranded Consonants
Ensuring consonants are not left isolated between syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The word's French origin influences its pronunciation and syllable structure.
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables.
Summary:
The word 'self-complaisance' is divided into four syllables: self-com-plai-sans. It consists of the prefix 'self-', the root 'complais-', and the suffix '-ance'. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('plai'). Syllable division follows rules of onset maximization, VCC clusters, and diphthong treatment.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-complaisance" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation Considerations:
The word "self-complaisance" presents challenges due to its length, multiple morphemes, and potential for varying pronunciations depending on regional accents within the UK. Generally, the 'ai' in 'complaisance' is pronounced as /eɪ/ (as in 'day'), and the 'ce' is pronounced as /s/.
2. Syllable Division:
Following English syllable division rules, which prioritize maximizing onsets (consonant sounds at the beginning of a syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the action is performed by the subject.
- Root: complais- (French, ultimately from Latin complacere - 'to please') - meaning 'to please, to be agreeable'.
- Suffix: -ance (French, ultimately from Latin -antia) - noun-forming suffix denoting a state, quality, or act.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: com-plai-sance. This is typical for words of French origin with this suffix.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌself kɒmpleɪˈsɑːns/
6. Edge Case Review:
The 'complaisance' portion could potentially be divided differently by some speakers, but the given division is the most common and phonologically justifiable.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-complaisance" functions solely as a noun. There are no syllable or stress shifts based on grammatical function.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality or state of being pleased with oneself; self-satisfaction.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: self-satisfaction, smugness, complacency, self-regard
- Antonyms: humility, modesty, self-effacement
- Examples: "His self-complaisance was irritating to those around him." "She showed a disturbing level of self-complaisance after winning the award."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Appearance: ap-pear-ance (3 syllables) - Similar suffix '-ance', stress on the penultimate syllable.
- Importance: im-por-tance (3 syllables) - Similar suffix '-ance', stress on the penultimate syllable.
- Tolerance: tol-er-ance (3 syllables) - Similar suffix '-ance', stress on the penultimate syllable.
The key difference is the initial prefix "self-" and the root's complexity in "complaisance," leading to a different stress pattern. The suffix '-ance' consistently attracts stress in these words.
Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rules:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| self | /self/ | Open syllable, onset 's', nucleus 'e', coda 'lf' | VCC rule - Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable. | |
| com | /kɒm/ | Closed syllable, onset 'c', nucleus 'o', coda 'm' | Onset Maximization - 'c' is preferred as the onset. | |
| plai | /pleɪ/ | Diphthong syllable, onset 'pl', nucleus 'eɪ' | Diphthong Rule - Diphthongs form a single nucleus. | |
| sans | /sɑːns/ | Closed syllable, onset 's', nucleus 'ɑː', coda 'ns' | Consonant Cluster Rule - 'ns' is a common coda in English. |
Division Rules Applied:
- Onset Maximization: Prioritizing consonants as onsets whenever possible.
- VCC Rule: Allowing consonant clusters in the coda (end) of a syllable.
- Diphthong Rule: Treating diphthongs as single nuclei.
- Avoid Stranded Consonants: Ensuring consonants are not left isolated between syllables.
Special Considerations:
The word's French origin influences its pronunciation and syllable structure. Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Regional accents in the UK might affect the vowel sounds (e.g., /ɑː/ vs. /æ/) but generally won't alter the syllable division.
The hottest word splits in English (GB)
See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.
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.