Hyphenation offirst-generation
Syllable Division:
first-gen-er-a-tion
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/fɝrst ˈdʒɛn.ə.reɪ.ʃən/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
00101
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('a' in 'gen-er-a-tion').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Closed syllable, onset 'f', rime 'rst'
Closed syllable, onset 'dʒ', rime 'en'
Closed syllable, onset null, rime 'ɛr'
Open syllable, vowel alone
Closed syllable, onset 'r', rime 'eɪ.ʃən'
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: first
Old English, ordinal number
Root: gen
Latin 'genus', meaning birth/origin
Suffix: er-a-tion
English agentive suffix, connecting vowel, Latin nominalizing suffix
Relating to people born in a country after their parents immigrated there.
Examples:
"She is a first-generation American."
The group of people who were born in a country after their parents immigrated there.
Examples:
"The first-generation often face unique challenges."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Similar suffix and stress pattern.
Similar suffix and syllable structure.
Similar suffix and syllable structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset-Rime
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Vowel Alone
A single vowel constitutes a syllable.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
Compound word structure requiring consideration of linking sounds.
Potential vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
Regional variations in vowel pronunciation.
Summary:
The word 'first-generation' is divided into five syllables: first-gen-er-a-tion, with primary stress on the third syllable. It's a compound word with Latin and Old English roots, functioning as an adjective or noun. Syllabification follows standard Onset-Rime principles.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "first-generation" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Considerations:
The word "first-generation" presents a compound structure. The pronunciation involves linking between the words, and the stress pattern is crucial for understanding the syllabification.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows: first-gen-er-a-tion.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: first- (Old English, ordinal number, indicates order)
- Root: gen- (Latin genus, meaning 'birth', 'origin', 'kind')
- Suffix: -er- (English, agentive suffix, forming a noun denoting someone or something that performs the action)
- Suffix: -a- (English, connecting vowel)
- Suffix: -tion- (Latin, nominalizing suffix, forming a noun from a verb)
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: gen-er-a-tion.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/fɝrst ˈdʒɛn.ə.reɪ.ʃən/
6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:
- first: /fɝrst/ - Syllable division rule: Onset-Rime. The 'f' forms the onset, 'rst' forms the rime. Potential exception: The 'r' is a rhotic consonant, influencing vowel quality.
- gen: /dʒɛn/ - Syllable division rule: Onset-Rime. 'j' forms the onset, 'en' forms the rime.
- er: /ˈɛr/ - Syllable division rule: Onset-Rime. 'ɛ' forms the nucleus, 'r' forms the coda.
- a: /ə/ - Syllable division rule: Vowel alone forms a syllable.
- tion: /ˈreɪ.ʃən/ - Syllable division rule: Onset-Rime. 'ʃ' forms the onset, 'ən' forms the rime.
7. Edge Case Review:
The compound nature of the word requires careful consideration. The hyphen in "first-generation" doesn't necessarily dictate a syllable break in pronunciation. The linking of sounds across the hyphen is common.
8. Grammatical Role:
"First-generation" primarily functions as an adjective (e.g., "first-generation immigrants"). As an adjective, the stress pattern remains consistent. It can also function as a noun (e.g., "the first-generation were eager to succeed"). The stress pattern remains consistent in both cases.
9. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Relating to people who were born in a country after their parents immigrated there.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective, Noun
- Synonyms: immigrant, newcomer
- Antonyms: native-born, indigenous
- Examples: "She is a first-generation American." "The first-generation often face unique challenges."
10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables, but the core syllable division remains consistent. Regional accents might affect vowel quality (e.g., a more pronounced 'r' in some dialects).
11. Phonological Comparison:
- generation: gen-er-a-tion - Similar syllable structure, stress on the 'a' syllable.
- information: in-for-ma-tion - Similar syllable structure, stress on the 'ma' syllable.
- celebration: cel-e-bra-tion - Similar syllable structure, stress on the 'bra' syllable.
The consistent stress pattern on the penultimate syllable in these words demonstrates a common pattern in English words ending in "-tion". The difference in the initial syllables reflects the different onset and rime structures.
The hottest word splits in English (US)
See what terms are trending and getting hyphenated by users right now.
What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.
This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.
With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.