Hyphenation ofself-concentered

Linguistic Analysis of "self-concentered" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "self-concentered" presents challenges due to the prefix "self-", the compound structure, and the relatively uncommon vowel sequence. British English pronunciation generally exhibits non-rhoticity, meaning the 'r' sound is not pronounced after vowels unless followed by another vowel.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllable division rules, which prioritize maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and respecting vowel sounds, the division will be as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: "self-" (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
• Root: "con-" (Latin com- meaning "with, together") + "center" (Latin centrum meaning "center") - The root signifies being at the middle or core.
• Suffix: "-ed" (Old English) - past tense/past participle marker.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-cen-tered. This is typical for words with the "-ed" suffix, where stress often recedes from the final syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/selfˈkɒnsənˌtɛəd/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, including IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

• self: /sɛlf/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: The 'l' can sometimes form a syllabic consonant, but in this case, it's part of the syllable's coda.
• con: /kɒn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).
• cen: /sən/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s).
• tered: /tɛəd/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). The 'r' is not pronounced in GB English unless followed by a vowel.

7. Edge Case Review:

The compound nature of "concentered" could lead to some ambiguity. However, the established pronunciation and common usage dictate the above syllabification.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Self-concentered" primarily functions as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical function.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Excessively preoccupied with oneself; self-absorbed to an extreme degree.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: egocentric, self-absorbed, narcissistic, introverted.
• Antonyms: altruistic, selfless, considerate, empathetic.
• Examples: "His self-concentered behavior alienated his friends." "She was a self-concentered individual, rarely showing interest in others."

10. Regional Variations:

While the core syllabification remains consistent, some regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., /ɒ/ vs. /ɔː/) might occur, but these do not affect the syllable division itself.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• concentrate: con-cen-trate - Similar structure, stress on the second syllable. The addition of "-ate" alters the final syllable.
• self-control: self-con-trol - Similar prefix, different root. Stress on "con".
• centered: cen-tered - A shorter form, demonstrating the core syllable structure of "concentered".