Hyphenation ofuncomprehensible

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

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "uncomprehensible" is a nine-syllable word, exhibiting a complex morphological structure. Its pronunciation in GB English is /ʌnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/. The presence of multiple vowels and consonant clusters necessitates careful application of syllabification rules.

2. Syllable Division:

Following GB English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters): un-com-pre-hen-si-ble.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
• Root: comprehend (Latin comprehendere – to grasp entirely) - To understand.
• Suffix: -ible (Latin -ibilis) - Capable of, tending to.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third-to-last syllable: /ˌʌnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌnˌkɒmprɪˈhɛnsɪbl̩/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

• un-: /ʌn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-Rhyme structure. No exceptions.
• com-: /kɒm/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster 'com' forms a closed syllable. Potential exception: In some rapid speech, it might be reduced.
• pre-: /prɛ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-Rhyme structure. No exceptions.
• hen-: /hɛn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster 'hen' forms a closed syllable. No exceptions.
• si-: /sɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-Rhyme structure. No exceptions.
• ble: /bl̩/ - Closed syllable, syllabic consonant. Rule: Syllabic consonant 'l' can form a syllable on its own. Exception: The 'e' is silent, contributing only to the syllabic nature of the 'l'.

7. Edge Case Review:

The word's length and complex morphology present a challenge. The syllabic 'l' in "ble" is a common feature but requires specific attention. The vowel reduction in unstressed syllables is also a potential variation.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Uncomprehensible" primarily functions as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical role.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Not capable of being understood.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: Incomprehensible, unintelligible, obscure, baffling.
• Antonyms: Comprehensible, understandable, clear, lucid.
• Examples: "The lecture was completely uncomprehensible." "His handwriting is uncomprehensible."

10. Alternative Pronunciations & Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents standard GB English, some regional variations might exist in vowel quality or stress placement. However, the core syllabification remains consistent.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• Impossible: im-pos-si-ble. Similar structure with prefixes and suffixes. Stress on the second syllable.
• Incredible: in-cred-i-ble. Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress on the second syllable.
• Understandable: un-der-stand-a-ble. Similar root and suffix. Stress on the third syllable.

The differences in stress placement are due to the varying number of syllables and the inherent rhythmic patterns of each word. The syllabification rules applied are consistent across all examples.