Hyphenation ofcounterdemonstrator

Analysis of "counterdemonstrator"

1. Pronunciation: The word is pronounced /ˌkaʊntərˌdɛmənˈstreɪtər/ in US English.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets, is: coun-ter-de-mon-stra-tor.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: counter- (French origin, meaning "against" or "opposing"). Morphological function: negation/opposition.
• Root: demonstrate (Latin demonstrare - to point out, prove). Morphological function: core meaning of showing or exhibiting.
• Suffix: -or (Latin origin, meaning "one who performs an action"). Morphological function: agentive, forming a noun denoting a person who demonstrates.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌkaʊntərˌdɛmənˈstreɪtər/. Secondary stress is on the first syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌkaʊntərˌdɛmənˈstreɪtər/

6. Edge Case Review: This word is relatively straightforward in its syllabification. The main consideration is the cluster /ntər/ which is a common and acceptable onset.

7. Grammatical Role: The word functions solely as a noun. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress if it were to function as another part of speech, as it is a derived noun.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: A person who participates in a demonstration in opposition to another demonstration.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: protestor (opposing), anti-demonstrator
• Antonyms: demonstrator, supporter
• Examples: "The police separated the demonstrators from the counterdemonstrators."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• administrator: ad-mi-nis-tra-tor. Similar structure with a prefix and suffix. Stress pattern is also similar (penultimate syllable).
• communicator: com-mu-ni-ca-tor. Similar suffix -or. Syllable division follows the same principles.
• demonstrative: de-mon-stra-tive. Shares the root demonstrate. Syllable division is consistent with the rules applied to "counterdemonstrator".

10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:

• coun-: /kaʊn/ - Open syllable, onset /kaʊn/. Rule: Vowel after consonant cluster. Exception: The /n/ is part of the onset.
• -ter-: /tər/ - Closed syllable, onset /tər/, coda null. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by vowel.
• -de-: /dɛ/ - Open syllable, onset /dɛ/. Rule: Vowel after consonant.
• -mon-: /mɑn/ - Open syllable, onset /mɑn/. Rule: Vowel after consonant.
• -stra-: /streɪ/ - Open syllable, onset /strɛ/. Rule: Diphthong after consonant cluster.
• -tor-: /tər/ - Closed syllable, onset /tər/, coda null. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by vowel.

11. Division Rules Applied:

• Maximize Onsets: Attempt to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of each syllable.
• Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV): Syllables are often divided between vowels.
• Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within the onset or coda of a syllable unless they are unpronounceable.

12. Special Considerations: The /ntər/ cluster is a common occurrence in English and doesn't pose a significant syllabification challenge. The secondary stress on the first syllable is important for natural pronunciation.

13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations: Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the first syllable (/kaʊntər/) to a schwa (/kəntər/), but this doesn't significantly alter the syllable division.