Hyphenation ofmerchandisability

Linguistic Analysis of "merchandisability"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "merchandisability" is pronounced /mɜːrˈtʃændɪzəbɪləti/ (General American). It presents challenges due to its length and multiple suffixes.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllable division rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters): mer-chan-dis-a-bil-i-ty

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: merch- (from Old French merche, meaning "trade, merchandise") - denotes trade or commerce.
• Root: -chand- (from Old French marchand, meaning "merchant") - relates to the act of trading.
• Suffixes:
  • -dis- (Latin dis- meaning "apart, away") - functions as a separating element.
  • -a- (Latin ad- meaning "to") - functions as a connecting element.
  • -bil- (Latin bilis meaning "able") - indicates capability.
  • -i- (Latin i- meaning "relating to") - connects to the following suffix.
  • -ty- (Latin -tatem meaning "quality of") - forms a noun denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: mer-chan-dis-a-bil-i-ty.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/mɜːrˈtʃændɪzəbɪləti/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-dis-a-" is somewhat unusual, but follows the pattern of adding suffixes to the root. The length of the word and the multiple suffixes contribute to the complexity of its syllabification.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Merchandisability" functions solely as a noun. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress if it were to function as another part of speech, as it is a derived noun.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The quality of being able to be marketed or sold; the degree to which something is marketable.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: marketability, salability, commercial viability
• Antonyms: unsalability, unmarketability
• Examples: "The merchandisability of the new product was carefully assessed before launch." "The company focused on improving the merchandisability of its existing line."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Accessibility: ac-ces-si-bil-i-ty (5 syllables, stress on -si-) - Similar suffix structure (-ibility), but a different root.
• Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty (6 syllables, stress on -pon-) - Again, shares the -ibility suffix, but differs in the initial syllable and root.
• Credibility: cred-i-bil-i-ty (4 syllables, stress on -bil-) - Shares the -ibility suffix, but is shorter and has a simpler root structure.

The syllable division in all these words follows the VCV pattern (vowel-consonant-vowel) where possible, and consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable. "Merchandisability" is longer and has more complex morphemic structure, leading to a greater number of syllables.

10. Division Rules:

• Rule 1: Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV): Syllables are often divided between vowels. (e.g., mer-chan)
• Rule 2: Consonant Clusters: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable. (e.g., -dis-)
• Rule 3: Suffixes: Suffixes are typically separated into their own syllables. (e.g., -a-bil-i-ty)
• Rule 4: Schwa Reduction: The schwa sound /ə/ often creates a syllable boundary. (e.g., mer-chan-dis)

11. Special Considerations:

The word's length and the accumulation of suffixes make it a complex case. The division between "dis" and "a" is based on the historical separation of the Latin prefixes and connecting elements. Regional variations in pronunciation might slightly alter the perceived syllable boundaries, but the core division remains consistent.

12. Short Analysis:

"Merchandisability" is a six-syllable noun derived from French and Latin roots, meaning the quality of being marketable. It is divided into syllables as mer-chan-dis-a-bil-i-ty, with primary stress on the third syllable. The word's structure reflects its complex morphemic history and follows standard English syllabification rules, prioritizing vowel-consonant-vowel patterns and keeping consonant clusters intact.