Hyphenation ofintercommunicated
Syllable Division:
in-ter-com-mu-ni-cat-ed
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌɪntərkəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0001001
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('mu'). The stress pattern is typical for words with Latinate roots and suffixes.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Closed syllable, onset 'in'
Closed syllable, onset 't', rime 'er'
Open syllable, onset 'c', rime 'om'
Open syllable, onset 'm', rime 'u'
Closed syllable, onset 'n', rime 'i'
Open syllable, onset 'c', rime 'ay'
Closed syllable, onset 'd', rime 'e'
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: inter-
Latin origin, meaning 'between' or 'among', modifies the verb
Root: communic-
Latin origin (*communicare*), meaning 'to share, impart'
Suffix: -ate
Latin origin (*-atus*), verb-forming suffix
To exchange or share information, ideas, or feelings with each other.
Examples:
"The diplomats intercommunicated through a secure channel."
"The two teams intercommunicated frequently during the project."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the root 'communic-' and similar suffix structure.
Shares the prefix 'mis-' and root 'communic-'.
Shares the prefix 'inter-' and has a similar overall structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset-Rime Division
Dividing syllables based on the consonant onset and vowel-containing rime.
Consonant Cluster Analysis
Identifying consonant clusters and assigning them to the appropriate syllable based on sonority.
Suffix Division
Separating suffixes as distinct syllables.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The consonant cluster '-mmun-' requires careful consideration, but the stress pattern dictates its placement.
Potential vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
Summary:
The word 'intercommunicated' is divided into seven syllables: in-ter-com-mu-ni-cat-ed. It consists of the prefix 'inter-', the root 'communic-', and the suffixes '-ate' and '-ed'. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('mu'). Syllabification follows standard onset-rime division rules, with consideration for consonant clusters and suffixes.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "intercommunicated" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "intercommunicated" is a relatively complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation involves several consonant clusters and vowel reductions, typical of English.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: inter- (Latin, meaning "between" or "among") - Function: modifies the verb, indicating reciprocal action.
- Root: communic- (Latin, communicare - "to share, impart") - Function: core meaning of conveying information.
- Suffix: -ate (Latin, -atus) - Function: verb-forming suffix, creating a verb from a noun or adjective.
- Suffix: -ed (English) - Function: past tense marker.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: in-ter-com-mu-ni-cat-ed.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌɪntərkəˈmjuːnɪkeɪtɪd/
6. Edge Case Review:
The presence of the consonant cluster "-mmun-" can sometimes lead to variations in perceived syllable boundaries, but the standard division places it within the stressed syllable.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Intercommunicated" primarily functions as a verb (past tense). If used as a past participle in a passive construction, the stress pattern remains the same.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: To exchange or share information, ideas, or feelings with each other.
- Grammatical Category: Verb (past tense/past participle)
- Synonyms: corresponded, exchanged, conferred, communicated.
- Antonyms: withheld, concealed, suppressed.
- Examples:
- "The diplomats intercommunicated through a secure channel."
- "The two teams intercommunicated frequently during the project."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- "communication": com-mu-ni-ca-tion. Similar structure, stress on the third syllable. The "-ed" suffix adds a syllable in "intercommunicated".
- "miscommunicate": mis-com-mu-ni-cate. Similar prefix and root, stress on the third syllable.
- "international": in-ter-na-tion-al. Similar prefix, but different root and suffix. Stress on the third syllable.
Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rules:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| in | /ɪn/ | Closed syllable, onset "in" | Onset-Rime division. Consonant cluster "in" forms the onset. | None |
| ter | /tər/ | Closed syllable, onset "t", rime "er" | Onset-Rime division. | None |
| com | /kəm/ | Open syllable, onset "c", rime "om" | Onset-Rime division. | None |
| mu | /mjuː/ | Open syllable, onset "m", rime "u" | Onset-Rime division. The vowel "u" is a glide following the consonant "m". | None |
| ni | /nɪ/ | Closed syllable, onset "n", rime "i" | Onset-Rime division. | None |
| cat | /keɪ/ | Open syllable, onset "c", rime "ay" | Onset-Rime division. | None |
| ed | /ɪd/ | Closed syllable, onset "d", rime "e" | Suffix division. Past tense marker. | Can be pronounced /t/ after voiceless consonants. |
Division Rules Applied:
- Onset-Rime Division: The most fundamental rule, dividing syllables based on the consonant onset and vowel-containing rime.
- Consonant Cluster Analysis: Identifying consonant clusters (e.g., "in", "mmun") and assigning them to the appropriate syllable based on sonority.
- Suffix Division: Separating suffixes (e.g., "-ed", "-ate") as distinct syllables.
Special Considerations:
The word's length and complex morphology require careful application of syllabification rules. The consonant cluster "-mmun-" is a potential point of ambiguity, but the stress pattern dictates its placement within the stressed syllable.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables, but 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.