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Hyphenation ofself-containedness

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

self-con-tained-ness

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/ˌself kənˈteɪnd nəs/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0 1 1 0

Primary stress on the third syllable ('tained'), secondary stress on the first syllable ('self').

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

self/self/

Open syllable, syllabic 'l' present.

con/kən/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

tained/teɪnd/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.

ness/nəs/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant cluster.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

self(prefix)
+
contain(root)
+
-ed(suffix)

Prefix: self

Old English, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.

Root: contain

Latin *continere* - to hold together, verb.

Suffix: -ed

Old English, past tense/past participle marker.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The state of being independent and complete in itself; not requiring external help or influence.

Examples:

"Her self-containedness allowed her to navigate difficult situations with grace."

"The cottage offered a sense of self-containedness, away from the bustle of the city."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

happinesshap-pi-ness

Similar structure with a suffix, but different stress pattern.

kindnesskind-ness

Shares the '-ness' suffix, simpler structure.

forgetfulnessfor-get-ful-ness

Longer word with multiple morphemes and a similar suffix.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Open Syllable Rule

Syllables generally end in a vowel sound. Vowel followed by consonant(s).

Closed Syllable Rule

Syllables ending in a consonant sound.

Syllabic Consonant Rule

Consonant 'l' can function as a vowel in certain syllables.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

Syllabic 'l' in 'self'. Compound word structure. Potential for minor regional vowel variations.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'self-containedness' is divided into four syllables: self-con-tained-ness. It comprises the prefix 'self', the root 'contain', and the suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Primary stress falls on 'tained', with secondary stress on 'self'. Syllabification follows standard GB English rules, considering open and closed syllables, and the presence of a syllabic 'l'.

Detailed Analysis:

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

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "self-containedness" is a complex noun formed through compounding and suffixation. Its pronunciation in GB English is approximately /ˌself kənˈteɪnd nəs/. The word presents challenges due to the blend of weak and strong syllables, and the presence of multiple morphemes.

2. Syllable Division:

Following GB English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

self-con-tained-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: contain (Latin continere - to hold together) - verb meaning to hold or include.
  • Suffix: -ed (Old English) - past tense/past participle marker.
  • Suffix: -ness (Old English) - noun-forming suffix denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-tained. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable: self.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌself kənˈteɪnd nəs/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • self: /self/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound. No consonant clusters impede syllable division here. Exception: The 'l' is syllabic, meaning it functions as a vowel in this syllable.
  • con: /kən/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). The 'n' closes the syllable, but the following vowel initiates a new syllable.
  • tained: /teɪnd/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster ('nd') following a vowel. The syllable ends with the 'd' sound.
  • ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant cluster ('ns'). The 's' closes the syllable.

7. Edge Case Review & Exceptions:

The syllabic 'l' in "self" is a minor exception, requiring consideration of phonetic realization. The compound nature of the word (self + contained + ness) could lead to alternative analyses, but the given division reflects the most common pronunciation and adheres to standard syllabification principles.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Self-containedness" primarily functions as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical function, as it doesn't inflect.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The state of being independent and complete in itself; not requiring external help or influence.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: autonomy, independence, self-sufficiency, completeness
  • Antonyms: dependence, incompleteness, reliance
  • Examples: "Her self-containedness allowed her to navigate difficult situations with grace." "The cottage offered a sense of self-containedness, away from the bustle of the city."

10. Regional Variations:

While the core syllabification remains consistent across GB English dialects, subtle variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., the /ə/ in "self") might occur. These variations do not significantly alter the syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar structure with a suffix. Stress on the second syllable.
  • kindness: kind-ness - Simpler structure, but shares the '-ness' suffix. Stress on the first syllable.
  • forgetfulness: for-get-ful-ness - Longer word with multiple morphemes and a similar suffix. Stress on the second syllable.

The differences in stress placement are due to the inherent rhythmic patterns of the words and the weight of the morphemes. "Self-containedness" has a heavier initial syllable ("self") which influences the stress pattern.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

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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.