Hyphenation ofnoncensurableness

Linguistic Analysis of "noncensurableness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "noncensurableness" is a complex noun formed through multiple affixations. Its pronunciation in US English involves a relatively straightforward application of English phonological rules, though the length and complexity present challenges in syllabification.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters): non-cen-sur-a-ble-ness

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: non- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
• Root: censor (Latin censere "to assess, judge") - The core meaning relating to judgment or control of information.
• Suffix: -able (Latin -abilis) - Adjectival suffix, meaning "capable of being".
• Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes) - Noun-forming suffix, denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: non-cen-sur-a-ble-ness. This is determined by the general rule that stress tends to fall on the penultimate syllable in words of this length and complexity, unless overridden by morphological factors (which isn't the case here).

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑnˈsɛnsərəblnəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-sur-" can sometimes be a point of ambiguity, but in this case, the vowel sound clearly separates it from the preceding syllable. The "-able" suffix is relatively stable in its syllabic attachment.

7. Grammatical Role:

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

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The quality or state of being not subject to censorship; freedom from being restricted or controlled.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: uncensoredness, freedom, independence
• Antonyms: censorship, restriction, control
• Examples: "The noncensurableness of the press is vital for a democratic society."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty - Similar syllable structure with multiple suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable.
• Understandable: un-der-stand-a-ble - Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress falls on the third syllable.
• Impossibility: im-pos-si-bil-i-ty - Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress falls on the third syllable.

The key difference is the length and complexity of "noncensurableness," leading to a greater number of syllables and a shift in the primary stress towards the middle of the word. The other words have a more regular stress pattern on the penultimate syllable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-Consonant-Vowel (VCV): When a word has a sequence of VCV, it is generally divided between the vowels.
2. Consonant Blends: Consonant blends (e.g., "bl") are typically kept together within a syllable.
3. Suffix Division: Suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.

Special Considerations:

The length of the word and the multiple suffixes contribute to its complexity. The schwa sound in the "a" syllable is common in unstressed syllables in English.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents the most common US English pronunciation, slight variations in vowel sounds may occur depending on regional accents. These variations would not significantly alter the syllable division.