Hyphenation ofsupernaturalising

Linguistic Analysis of "supernaturalising" (English (GB))

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "supernaturalising" is pronounced /ˌsuːpəˌnætʃərəlˌaɪzɪŋ/ in General British English. It exhibits a complex syllable structure due to its length and multiple morphemes.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: su-per-nat-ur-al-is-ing

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: super- (Latin, meaning "above," "beyond") - Prefixes in English typically maintain their orthographic integrity.
• Root: natural (Latin natura meaning "birth, constitution") - The core meaning-bearing element.
• Suffix: -al (Latin, forming adjectives) - Adjectival suffix.
• Suffix: -is (Greek, forming verbs from nouns/adjectives) - Verbal suffix, creating a present participle.
• Suffix: -ing (English, progressive/gerundive suffix) - Indicates ongoing action or a noun formed from a verb.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: su-per-nat-ur-al-is-ing. Secondary stress is on the first syllable: su-per-nat-ur-al-is-ing.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌsuːpəˈnætʃərəlˌaɪzɪŋ/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "nat-ur" could potentially be analyzed as a single syllable by some, but the presence of a clear vowel sound between the 't' and 'u' necessitates separation. The "-al" suffix is often pronounced as a schwa /ə/, but its distinct vowel quality in this word warrants its own syllable.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Supernaturalising" functions primarily as a verb (present participle/gerund). As a verb, the stress pattern remains consistent. If used as a gerund (noun), the stress pattern would not shift.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The act of attributing supernatural qualities or characteristics to something; making something seem supernatural.
• Grammatical Category: Verb (present participle/gerund)
• Synonyms: mystifying, spiritualizing, enchanting, bewitching
• Antonyms: rationalizing, demystifying, explaining
• Examples: "The author was skilled at supernaturalising ordinary events." "Supernaturalising the landscape added to the eerie atmosphere."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• naturalistic: na-tur-al-is-tic - Similar syllable structure, with the root "natural" appearing in both. Stress falls on the second syllable in both words.
• supernatural: su-per-nat-ur-al - Shares the "supernatural" root. Stress pattern is similar, with primary stress on "ur".
• industrialising: in-dus-tri-al-is-ing - Similar suffixation (-ising). Stress pattern differs, with primary stress on "dus". The difference arises from the different root structure and vowel qualities.

10. Division Rules:

• Vowel Rule: Each syllable must contain at least one vowel sound.
• Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally split to avoid creating syllables without vowels.
• Morpheme Boundary Rule: Syllable division often respects morpheme boundaries.
• Stress-Timing Rule: English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable duration and prominence.

11. Special Considerations:

The word's length and complex morphology present challenges. The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables (e.g., the 'a' in "natural") is a common feature of English pronunciation and affects syllable perception.

12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "super" to a schwa /sə/, resulting in a slightly different pronunciation and potentially a less distinct first syllable. However, the syllable division would remain the same.