Hyphenation ofintercommunication

Linguistic Analysis of "intercommunication"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "intercommunication" is pronounced /ˌɪntərkɑːmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/ in US English. It presents challenges due to its length, multiple vowels, and consonant clusters.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: inter- (Latin, meaning "between" or "among") - Function: Indicates reciprocity or exchange.
• Root: communic- (Latin, communicare - "to share, impart") - Function: Core meaning of conveying information.
• Suffix: -ation (Latin, -atio) - Function: Forms a noun from a verb, denoting a process or result.
• Suffix: -ion (Latin, -io) - Function: Noun forming suffix.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌɪntərkɑːmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/. Secondary stress is on the first syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌɪntərkɑːmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

• in- /ɪn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No exceptions.
• ter- /tər/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster (tr) forms the onset. No exceptions.
• com- /kɑːm/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No exceptions.
• mu- /mjuː/ - Open syllable. Rule: Semivowel /j/ follows the consonant, creating a glide. No exceptions.
• ni- /nɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Onset-rime structure. No exceptions.
• ca- /keɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Diphthong /eɪ/ forms the nucleus. No exceptions.
• tion /ʃən/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster (ʃn) forms the coda. No exceptions.

7. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-com-" can sometimes be ambiguous, but in this case, it clearly belongs to the root "communic-". The length of the word and the presence of multiple vowels and consonant clusters require careful application of syllabification rules.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Intercommunication" primarily functions as a noun. While a verb "intercommunicate" exists, the syllabification remains the same. Stress patterns might shift slightly in different verb forms (e.g., intercommunicating), but the core syllable division remains consistent.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The exchange of information between people or groups.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: communication, correspondence, dialogue, exchange
• Antonyms: isolation, silence, disconnection
• Examples: "Effective intercommunication is crucial for a successful team." "The new policy aims to improve intercommunication between departments."

10. Phonological Comparison:

• communication: com-mu-ni-ca-tion (similar structure, stress on the penultimate syllable)
• information: in-for-ma-tion (similar structure, stress on the penultimate syllable)
• organization: or-ga-ni-za-tion (similar structure, stress on the penultimate syllable)

These words share similar syllable structures and stress patterns, demonstrating the consistency of English syllabification rules. The presence of suffixes like "-tion" consistently leads to a penultimate stress.

11. Division Rules:

• Onset-Rime: Syllables are divided based on the onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and rime (vowel and any following consonants).
• Vowel Nucleus: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound (nucleus).
• Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they can be naturally divided based on pronunciation.
• Stress Placement: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

12. Special Considerations:

The word's length and complex morphology require careful attention to morphemic boundaries to ensure accurate syllabification. Regional variations in pronunciation might lead to slight differences in vowel quality, but the core syllable division remains consistent.

13. Short Analysis:

"Intercommunication" is a six-syllable word with primary stress on the penultimate syllable. It's derived from Latin roots and suffixes, indicating a process of reciprocal sharing of information. Syllabification follows standard English rules based on vowel nuclei and onset-rime structures.