Hyphenation ofincommunicability
Syllable Division:
in-com-mu-ni-ca-bil-i-ty
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌɪnkəˈmjuːnɪkəbɪˈlɪti/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
01001011
Primary stress falls on the fifth syllable ('ca-'). Secondary stress on the first syllable ('in-').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, weak stress.
Open syllable.
Open syllable.
Closed syllable.
Open syllable, primary stress.
Closed syllable.
Open syllable.
Closed syllable.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: in-
Latin origin, negation
Root: communic
Latin origin, to share, impart
Suffix: -ability
Latin origin, forms abstract nouns denoting capability
The state or quality of being unable to communicate; lack of communication.
Examples:
"The incommunicability between the two countries led to increased tensions."
"His incommunicability made it difficult to form close relationships."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the root 'communic-' and similar syllable structure.
Shares the suffix '-ability' and a comparable stress pattern.
Shares the suffix '-ibility', but differs in the initial consonant cluster.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Maximize Onsets
Consonants are assigned to the following syllable whenever possible.
Vowel-CVC
Syllables typically consist of a vowel followed by consonant(s).
Avoid Stranded Consonants
Consonants are not left alone to form a syllable.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The length of the word and multiple schwa-like vowels contribute to pronunciation variations.
The 'i' before 'ty' is prone to reduction to /ə/.
Potential vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
Summary:
The word 'incommunicability' is divided into eight syllables: in-com-mu-ni-ca-bil-i-ty. It's a noun formed from the prefix 'in-', the root 'communic-', and the suffix '-ability'. Primary stress falls on the fifth syllable ('ca-'). Syllable division follows rules maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, with potential for vowel reduction in unstressed positions.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "incommunicability"
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "incommunicability" is pronounced /ˌɪnkəˈmjuːnɪkəbɪˈlɪti/ in US English. It presents challenges due to its length, multiple vowels, and consonant clusters.
2. Syllable Division:
The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets (consonants belonging to the following syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows: in-com-mu-ni-ca-bil-i-ty.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: in- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
- Root: communic- (Latin communicare, "to share, impart") - The core meaning of conveying information.
- Suffix: -ability (Latin -abilitas) - Forms abstract nouns denoting capability or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable, ca- (i.e., /ˌɪnkəˈmjuːnɪkəbɪˈlɪti/). A secondary stress is present on the first syllable, in- (/ˌɪn/).
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌɪnkəˈmjuːnɪkəbɪˈlɪti/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "-icab-" is somewhat unusual and requires careful consideration of vowel quality and consonant grouping. The 'i' before 'ty' is often reduced to a schwa in rapid speech.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Incommunicability" functions solely as a noun. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress based on grammatical function.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The state or quality of being unable to communicate; lack of communication.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: uncommunicativeness, isolation, disconnectivity
- Antonyms: communicability, openness, expressiveness
- Examples: "The incommunicability between the two countries led to increased tensions." "His incommunicability made it difficult to form close relationships."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Communicative: com-mu-ni-ca-tive. Similar structure, stress on the 'ca-' syllable.
- Immutability: im-mu-ta-bil-i-ty. Similar suffix '-ability', stress pattern is also comparable.
- Accessibility: ac-ces-si-bil-i-ty. Shares the '-ibility' suffix, but the initial consonant cluster differs, affecting the first syllable.
Detailed Syllable Breakdown:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in- | /ɪn/ | Open syllable, weak stress | Vowel-CVC rule (vowel followed by consonant(s)) | Potential reduction to /ən/ in rapid speech |
| com- | /kəm/ | Open syllable | Vowel-CVC rule | |
| mu- | /mjuː/ | Open syllable | Glide-vowel combination | |
| ni- | /nɪ/ | Closed syllable | Consonant-vowel-consonant | |
| ca- | /kə/ | Open syllable, primary stress | Maximizing onsets, stress assignment | |
| bil- | /bɪl/ | Closed syllable | Consonant-vowel-consonant | |
| i- | /ɪ/ | Open syllable | Vowel alone | Often reduced to schwa /ə/ |
| ty | /ti/ | Closed syllable | Consonant-vowel |
Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):
The length of the word and the presence of multiple schwa-like vowels contribute to potential pronunciation variations. The 'i' before 'ty' is particularly prone to reduction.
Division Rules Applied:
- Maximize Onsets: Consonants are generally assigned to the following syllable whenever possible.
- Vowel-CVC: Syllables typically consist of a vowel followed by consonant(s).
- Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants are not left alone to form a syllable.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "in-", making it closer to /ən/. Regional accents could also influence vowel quality.
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