Hyphenation ofintercommunicate
Syllable Division:
in-ter-com-mu-ni-cate
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌɪntərkəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
000100
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('mu'), indicated by '1'. The other syllables are unstressed ('0').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, stressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: inter-
Latin origin, meaning 'between' or 'among', reciprocal action.
Root: communic-
Latin origin (communicare), meaning 'to share, impart'.
Suffix: -ate
Latin origin, adjectival/verbal suffix, forms a verb.
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the root 'communic-' and similar suffix, resulting in a comparable syllable structure and stress pattern.
Similar ending '-mote', demonstrating a consistent syllabification pattern for this type of suffix.
Similar ending '-mate', demonstrating a consistent syllabification pattern for this type of suffix.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset-Rhyme
Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant(s)) and rhyme (vowel and following consonants).
Vowel Division
Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are often maintained within a syllable, especially when they form a natural phonetic unit.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The word's length and multiple morphemes contribute to its complex syllabification.
The schwa sound in unstressed syllables is a common feature of English pronunciation.
Summary:
The word 'intercommunicate' is divided into six syllables: in-ter-com-mu-ni-cate. It's a verb derived from Latin roots, with primary stress on the third syllable ('mu'). Syllabification follows standard English rules of vowel division and onset-rhyme separation.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "intercommunicate" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "intercommunicate" is pronounced /ˌɪntərkəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/ in General American English. It features a mix of closed and open syllables, with primary stress falling on the third syllable.
2. Syllable Division:
The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only original letters, is: in-ter-com-mu-ni-cate
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: inter- (Latin, meaning "between" or "among") - functions to indicate reciprocal action.
- Root: communic- (Latin communicare, meaning "to share, impart") - the core meaning of conveying information.
- Suffix: -ate (Latin, adjectival/verbal suffix) - transforms the root into a verb, indicating an action or process.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the syllable "-mu-". The stress pattern is determined by the length of the word and the presence of suffixes. Generally, stress recedes from the end of the word until a strong syllable is encountered.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌɪntərkəˈmjuːnɪkeɪt/
6. Edge Case Review:
The sequence "-com-" can sometimes be a point of variation, but in this case, it clearly forms a syllable due to the vowel sound. The presence of the schwa /ə/ in the second syllable is typical in unstressed syllables.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Intercommunicate" primarily functions as a verb. While it could theoretically be nominalized (e.g., "intercommunication"), the syllabification and stress remain consistent.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: To exchange thoughts, information, or feelings.
- Grammatical Category: Verb (transitive)
- Synonyms: correspond, exchange, converse, impart
- Antonyms: withhold, conceal, suppress
- Examples:
- "The scientists intercommunicate their findings through publications."
- "We intercommunicate regularly via email."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Communicate: com-mu-ni-cate (similar structure, stress on "-mu-")
- Locomote: lo-co-mote (similar "-mote" ending, stress on "-mo-")
- Automate: au-to-mate (similar "-mate" ending, stress on "-mate")
The syllable structure is consistent across these words, with the "-mote" or "-mate" endings forming their own syllables. The stress patterns are also similar, often falling on the penultimate syllable before the suffix.
10. Syllable Analysis Breakdown:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in | /ɪn/ | Closed syllable, unstressed | Onset-Rhyme division, consonant cluster allowed | None |
| ter | /tər/ | Closed syllable, unstressed | Vowel surrounded by consonants | None |
| com | /kəm/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| mu | /mjuː/ | Open syllable, stressed | Diphthong formation | None |
| ni | /nɪ/ | Closed syllable, unstressed | Consonant-Vowel division | None |
| cate | /keɪt/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant cluster | None |
11. Division Rules Applied:
- Onset-Rhyme: Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant(s)) and rhyme (vowel and following consonants).
- Vowel Division: Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are often maintained within a syllable, especially when they form a natural phonetic unit.
12. Special Considerations:
The word's length and the presence of multiple morphemes contribute to its complex syllabification. The schwa sound in unstressed syllables is a common feature of English pronunciation.
13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
While the provided IPA transcription represents General American English, slight variations in vowel quality or stress placement might occur in different dialects. However, the core syllable division remains consistent.
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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.