Hyphenation ofcounterrevolution

Analysis of "counterrevolution"

1. Pronunciation: The word "counterrevolution" is pronounced /ˌkaʊntərˌrevəˈluːʃən/ in US English.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets, is: coun-ter-rev-o-lu-tion.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: counter- (French origin, ultimately from Latin contra meaning "against"). Morphological function: negation, opposition.
• Root: revolution (French origin, ultimately from Latin revolutio meaning "a turning around"). Morphological function: core meaning of a fundamental change.
• Suffix: None.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌkaʊntərˌrevəˈluːʃən/.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /ˌkaʊntərˌrevəˈluːʃən/

6. Edge Case Review: The sequence "-terrev-" presents a potential complexity. However, the rule of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants dictates the division between 'ter' and 'rev'.

7. Grammatical Role: "Counterrevolution" primarily functions as a noun. While it can be used attributively (e.g., "counterrevolutionary forces"), the core syllabification remains consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: A movement or series of actions intended to reverse the effects of a previous revolution.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: reversal, overthrow, rebellion
• Antonyms: revolution, progress, reform
• Examples: "The counterrevolution sought to restore the monarchy."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Revolution: rev-o-lu-tion. Similar structure, stress on the penultimate syllable.
• Counterpoint: coun-ter-point. Similar prefix and onset structure.
• Intervention: in-ter-ven-tion. Similar structure with a prefix and a root.

The key difference lies in the length and complexity of the root. "Counterrevolution" has a longer root syllable ("lu-tion") compared to the others.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown:

• coun: /kaʊn/ - Open syllable. Rule applied: Consonant-Vowel-Consonant (CVC) structure. Potential exception: The 'ou' diphthong could be considered a complex onset, but is commonly treated as a single unit.
• ter: /tər/ - Closed syllable. Rule applied: CVC structure. No exceptions.
• rev: /rev/ - Open syllable. Rule applied: Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV) - vowel breaks the consonant cluster. Potential exception: Could be considered part of a larger syllable with 'o', but the vowel break is stronger.
• o: /oʊ/ - Open syllable. Rule applied: Vowel alone. No exceptions.
• lu: /luː/ - Open syllable. Rule applied: CVC structure. No exceptions.
• tion: /ʃən/ - Closed syllable. Rule applied: Consonant cluster followed by vowel. No exceptions.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

• The 'r' in "counter" can sometimes be elided in rapid speech, but this doesn't affect the underlying syllabification.
• Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., the 'ou' in "coun") might exist, but the syllable division remains consistent.

Division Rules Applied:

• Maximize Onsets: Attempt to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.
• Vowel Break: When encountering a vowel sequence, typically separate into different syllables.
• CVC/CV Structure: Prioritize forming syllables with common structures like CVC and CV.

Special Considerations:

• The compound nature of the word (prefix + root) influences the syllabification.
• The presence of the schwa /ə/ in the unstressed syllables affects the phonetic realization but not the syllable division.

Short Analysis:

"Counterrevolution" is a six-syllable word divided as coun-ter-rev-o-lu-tion, with primary stress on the penultimate syllable. It's morphologically composed of the prefix "counter-" and the root "revolution." Syllabification follows rules maximizing onsets and separating vowel sequences. The word functions primarily as a noun denoting a reversal of revolutionary change.