Hyphenation ofinterdependences

Linguistic Analysis of "interdependences" (English - US)

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "interdependences" is a complex noun, readily pronounceable by native English speakers, though requiring careful articulation due to its length and consonant clusters. The pronunciation follows standard English phonological rules.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable) and respecting vowel sounds, is as follows: in-ter-de-pen-den-ces.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: inter- (Latin, meaning "between" or "among") - Prefixes modify the meaning of the root.
• Root: depend (Latin dependere, meaning "to hang down from") - The core meaning of reliance.
• Suffix: -ence (Latin -entia, forming abstract nouns denoting a state or quality) - Noun-forming suffix.
• Suffix: -s (English, plural marker) - Indicates more than one instance.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable: "den". The stress pattern is crucial for correct pronunciation and distinguishes it from other possible forms.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌɪntərdiˈpɛndənsɪz/

6. Edge Case Review:

The "inter-" prefix can sometimes be pronounced with a reduced vowel /ɪn/, but the full vowel /ɪ/ is acceptable and common. The final "-ences" can sometimes be pronounced with a schwa /ə/, but the /ɪ/ is more standard.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Interdependences" primarily functions as a noun. While theoretically, one could attempt to derive a verb form ("to interdependencize"), it is not a standard or accepted word. Therefore, the syllabification remains consistent regardless of potential (but non-existent) grammatical shifts.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Mutual reliance or dependence. The state of being dependent on each other.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: relationships, connections, linkages, mutualities
• Antonyms: independence, autonomy, self-sufficiency
• Examples: "The interdependences between nations are becoming increasingly complex." "The ecosystem's interdependences are fragile and easily disrupted."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Independence: in-de-pen-dence (/ˌɪndɪˈpɛndəns/) - Similar structure, stress on the penultimate syllable. The initial consonant differs, affecting the onset.
• Dependence: de-pen-dence (/dɪˈpɛndəns/) - Shorter, lacks the "inter-" prefix. Stress remains on the second syllable.
• Interdependence: in-ter-de-pen-dence (/ˌɪntərdiˈpɛndəns/) - Similar to the target word, but without the plural "-s". The syllable division is identical except for the final syllable.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Maximize Onset: Consonant clusters are generally included in the onset of the following syllable whenever possible.
2. Vowel-Following Consonant: Consonants following a vowel typically belong to the following syllable.
3. Closed Syllable Principle: Syllables ending in a consonant are considered "closed" and are often distinct units.
4. Stress Rule: Primary stress falls on the fifth syllable, influencing pronunciation and rhythm.

Special Considerations:

The word's length and complex consonant clusters require careful articulation. Regional variations in vowel pronunciation (e.g., /ɪ/ vs. /ə/ in the final syllable) are possible but do not fundamentally alter the syllabification.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the vowel in the final syllable to a schwa /səz/, but the /sɪz/ pronunciation is more standard.