Hyphenation ofself-contradictory
Syllable Division:
self-con-tra-dic-to-ry
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.tər.i/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
010010
Primary stress falls on the fifth syllable (/ˈdɪk/), with secondary stress on the first syllable (/self/). The stress pattern reflects the morphological structure and length of the word.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, initial syllable.
Closed syllable, vowel surrounded by consonants.
Open syllable, vowel preceded by consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant.
Open syllable, vowel preceded by consonant.
Open syllable, vowel preceded by consonant.
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: dict
Latin *dicere* - to say, core meaning relating to speech.
Suffix: contra
Latin *contra* - against, indicating opposition.
Containing or expressing contradiction; mutually opposed.
Examples:
"His statement was self-contradictory."
"The politician's policies were often self-contradictory."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar syllable structure with multiple suffixes.
Similar syllable structure with Greek-derived roots and suffixes.
Similar syllable structure with Greek-derived roots and suffixes.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset Maximization
Attempting to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.
Vowel Nucleus
Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
Sonority Sequencing
Consonants are arranged in order of decreasing sonority within the onset and coda.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The initial 'self-' is often treated as a single syllable despite containing a vowel.
Vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is a common feature of English phonology.
Summary:
The word 'self-contradictory' is divided into six syllables: self-con-tra-dic-to-ry. The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable. It's morphologically complex, comprising the prefix 'self-', root 'dict-', and suffixes '-contra-' and '-ory'. Syllabification follows rules of onset maximization and vowel nucleus requirements.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-contradictory" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.tər.i/ in General British English.
2. Syllable Division: self-con-tra-dic-to-ry
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the action is performed by the subject.
- Root: dict- (Latin dicere - to say) - core meaning relating to speech or declaration.
- Suffix: -contra- (Latin contra - against) - indicating opposition or conflict.
- Suffix: -dict- (Latin dicere - to say) - part of the root, contributing to the meaning of declaration.
- Suffix: -ory (Latin -orius) - adjectival suffix forming adjectives denoting a quality or relation.
4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable: /ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.tər.i/. Secondary stress is on the first syllable.
5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌself.kɒn.trəˈdɪk.tər.i/
6. Edge Case Review: The compound nature of the word and the presence of multiple morphemes can lead to ambiguity in syllable division. However, following the principle of maximizing onsets, the division presented is the most phonologically plausible.
7. Grammatical Role: The word functions primarily as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical function.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Containing or expressing contradiction; mutually opposed.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: inconsistent, paradoxical, conflicting, contradictory
- Antonyms: consistent, logical, coherent
- Examples: "His statement was self-contradictory." "The politician's policies were often self-contradictory."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Photography: pho-to-gra-phy - Similar syllable structure with multiple suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable.
- Democracy: de-mo-cra-cy - Similar syllable structure with Greek-derived roots and suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable.
- Biology: bi-o-lo-gy - Similar syllable structure with Greek-derived roots and suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable.
The difference in stress placement in "self-contradictory" is due to the length of the word and the presence of multiple morphemes, leading to a more complex stress pattern. The other words are shorter and have simpler morphological structures.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
- self: /self/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Initial syllable often forms a single unit.
- con: /kɒn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel surrounded by consonants.
- tra: /trə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant cluster and followed by consonant.
- dic: /dɪk/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant.
- to: /tə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant and not followed by consonant.
- ry: /ri/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant.
Exceptions/Special Cases:
- The initial "self-" is often treated as a single syllable despite containing a vowel.
- The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables (e.g., /ə/ in "con," "tra," "to") is a common feature of English phonology.
Division Rules Applied:
- Onset Maximization: Attempting to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.
- Vowel Nucleus: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
- Sonority Sequencing: Consonants are arranged in order of decreasing sonority within the onset and coda.
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