Hyphenation ofself-unworthiness
Syllable Division:
self-un-worth-i-ness
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/self ʌnˈwɜːθɪnəs/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
00100
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('worth'). The stress pattern is influenced by the length and morphological structure of the word.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, initial consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, simple structure.
Closed syllable, potential vowel variation.
Open syllable, connecting vowel.
Closed syllable, common suffix.
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: worth
Old English, denoting value, merit, or importance.
Suffix: unworthiness
Combination of 'un-' (negative prefix, Old English), '-i-' (connecting vowel, Latin via French), and '-ness' (nominalizing suffix, Old English).
The state or quality of lacking a sense of one's own value or importance; a feeling of being inadequate or undeserving.
Examples:
"His self-unworthiness prevented him from pursuing his dreams."
"She struggled with deep feelings of self-unworthiness."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar suffix and root structure.
Shares the 'un-' prefix and similar suffix structure.
Shares the 'self-' prefix and '-ness' suffix.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset Maximization
Attempt to include as many initial consonants as possible in a syllable.
Consonant-Vowel Division
Divide between consonants and vowels when no other rules apply.
Suffix Separation
Separate common suffixes from the root.
Morpheme Boundary Consideration
Respect morphemic boundaries when dividing syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The vowel in 'worth' can be pronounced as /ɜː/ or /ə/ depending on regional accent.
The /ɪ/ in 'worthiness' is often reduced to a schwa in rapid speech.
The presence of multiple prefixes and suffixes complicates the syllable division.
Summary:
The word 'self-unworthiness' is divided into five syllables: self-un-worth-i-ness. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('worth'). It is a noun formed from multiple morphemes, including the prefixes 'self-' and 'un-', the root 'worth', and the suffix '-ness'. Syllable division follows rules of onset maximization, consonant-vowel separation, and morphemic boundaries.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-unworthiness" (English (GB))
1. Pronunciation Considerations:
The word "self-unworthiness" presents challenges due to its length, multiple morphemes, and potential for varying pronunciations, particularly regarding the schwa sound /ə/. British English (GB) generally exhibits a clearer articulation of vowels compared to some other English dialects.
2. Syllable Division:
Following English syllable division rules, which prioritize maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, the division will be: self-un-worth-i-ness.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
- Prefix: un- (Old English) - negative prefix, indicating negation or reversal of meaning.
- Root: worth (Old English) - denoting value, merit, or importance.
- Suffix: -i- (Latin via French) - connecting vowel, often found between a root and a suffix.
- Suffix: -ness (Old English) - nominalizing suffix, forming a noun denoting a state or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: un-worth-i-ness. This is determined by the general rule that stress tends to fall on the penultimate syllable in words of this length and complexity, but is influenced by the morphological structure.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/self ʌnˈwɜːθɪnəs/
6. Edge Case Review:
The vowel in "worth" can be pronounced as /ɜː/ or /ə/ depending on regional accent and speed of speech. The /ɪ/ in "worthiness" is often reduced to a schwa in rapid speech.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-unworthiness" functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The state or quality of lacking a sense of one's own value or importance; a feeling of being inadequate or undeserving.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: inadequacy, inferiority, humiliation, low self-esteem
- Antonyms: self-confidence, self-worth, self-esteem, arrogance
- Examples: "His self-unworthiness prevented him from pursuing his dreams." "She struggled with deep feelings of self-unworthiness."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Worthiness: worth-i-ness (/ˈwɜːθɪnəs/) - Similar structure, stress on the second syllable.
- Uncertainty: un-cer-tain-ty (/ʌnˈsɜːrtənti/) - Similar prefix, stress pattern influenced by root length.
- Selfishness: self-ish-ness (/ˈselfɪʃnəs/) - Similar prefix, stress on the first syllable.
The differences in stress placement are due to the varying lengths and vowel qualities of the root morphemes. "Self-unworthiness" has a longer root ("worth") and a more prominent vowel sound, leading to stress on the third syllable.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Division Rule | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| self | /self/ | Open syllable, initial consonant cluster | Onset Maximization | None |
| un | /ʌn/ | Closed syllable, simple structure | Consonant-Vowel division | None |
| worth | /wɜːθ/ | Closed syllable, potential vowel variation | Consonant-Vowel division | Vowel can be reduced to /ə/ |
| i | /ɪ/ | Open syllable, connecting vowel | Vowel separation | Often reduced to schwa in rapid speech |
| ness | /nəs/ | Closed syllable, common suffix | Suffix separation | None |
Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):
The presence of multiple prefixes and suffixes complicates the syllable division, requiring careful consideration of morphemic boundaries. The connecting vowel 'i' is a relatively uncommon feature, but follows established patterns for words derived from Latinate roots.
Division Rules Applied:
- Onset Maximization: Attempt to include as many initial consonants as possible in a syllable.
- Consonant-Vowel Division: Divide between consonants and vowels when no other rules apply.
- Suffix Separation: Separate common suffixes from the root.
- Morpheme Boundary Consideration: Respect morphemic boundaries when dividing syllables.
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