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Hyphenation ofself-contradiction

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

self-con-tra-dic-tion

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

/ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

01011

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('dic'). Secondary stress may be present 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, vowel followed by consonants.

con/kɒn/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonants.

tra/trə/

Open syllable, vowel preceded by a consonant cluster.

dic/dɪk/

Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonants.

tion/ʃən/

Open syllable, vowel at the end of the word.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

self(prefix)
+
contradict(root)
+
ion(suffix)

Prefix: self

Old English, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.

Root: contradict

Latin origin (contra 'against' + dicere 'to say'), verb root.

Suffix: ion

Latin origin, nominalizing suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The act of asserting contradictory statements simultaneously.

Examples:

"His statement was full of self-contradiction."

"There was a clear self-contradiction in her policies."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

communicationcom-mu-ni-ca-tion

Similar structure with multiple syllables and a suffix '-tion'.

informationin-for-ma-tion

Similar suffix '-tion', but different initial consonant clusters.

identificationi-den-ti-fi-ca-tion

Similar suffix '-tion', longer root, and more complex consonant clusters.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel followed by Consonant(s)

Syllables are divided after a vowel when followed by one or more consonants (closed syllables).

Vowel Cluster

Syllables are divided before a vowel in a vowel cluster (open syllables).

Special Considerations

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

The compound nature of the word (self-contradiction) doesn't significantly alter the standard syllabification rules.

Potential vowel reduction in 'contradiction' in some dialects does not affect syllable division.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'self-contradiction' is divided into five syllables: self-con-tra-dic-tion. The primary stress falls on 'dic'. It's a noun formed from the prefix 'self', the root 'contradict', and the suffix '-ion'. Syllabification follows standard English rules based on vowel-consonant patterns.

Detailed Analysis:

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

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "self-contradiction" is a complex noun in British English. Its pronunciation involves multiple syllables and potential areas for syllabification debate, particularly around the compound nature of "self-contradiction".

2. Syllable Division:

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

self-con-tra-dic-tion

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the action is performed by the subject upon itself.
  • Root: contradict (Latin contra 'against' + dicere 'to say') - the core meaning of speaking against.
  • Suffix: -ion (Latin) - nominalizing suffix, turning the verb "contradict" into a noun.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-tra-dic-tion. Secondary stress may be present on the first syllable: self-con-tra-dic-tion.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.ʃən/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • self: /self/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). No special cases.
  • con: /kɒn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) and ending a syllable. No special cases.
  • tra: /trə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant cluster. No special cases.
  • dic: /dɪk/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s) and ending a syllable. No special cases.
  • tion: /ʃən/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel at the end of the word. No special cases.

7. Edge Case Review:

The compound nature of the word doesn't significantly alter the standard syllabification rules. The hyphenated form (self-contradiction) reinforces the separation of the prefix.

8. Grammatical Role:

The word primarily functions as a noun. While "contradict" is a verb, the addition of "-ion" solidifies the noun form. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of the verb's existence.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The act of asserting contradictory statements simultaneously.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: inconsistency, paradox, incongruity
  • Antonyms: consistency, agreement, harmony
  • Examples: "His statement was full of self-contradiction." "There was a clear self-contradiction in her policies."

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "contradiction" to a schwa /kənˈtrædɪkʃən/, but this doesn't change the syllable division. Regional accents may affect vowel quality but not the core syllabic structure.

11. Phonological Comparison:

  • communication: com-mu-ni-ca-tion - Similar structure with multiple syllables and a suffix "-tion". Stress pattern differs.
  • information: in-for-ma-tion - Similar suffix "-tion", but different initial consonant clusters.
  • identification: i-den-ti-fi-ca-tion - Similar suffix "-tion", longer root, and more complex consonant clusters.
Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/7/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.