Hyphenation ofnoncommensurable

Linguistic Analysis of "noncommensurable"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "noncommensurable" is a complex word with multiple morphemes and potential syllabic ambiguities. Its pronunciation in US English is generally /ˌnɑn kəˈmensərəbl̩/. The stress falls on the third syllable ("mens").

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: non-com-men-su-ra-ble.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: non- (Latin, meaning "not") - Negation.
• Root: commensur- (Latin, commensus, past participle of commere "to measure") - Relating to a common measure.
• Suffix: -able (Latin, -abilis) - Adjective forming suffix, meaning "capable of being".

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: non-com-men-su-ra-ble. Secondary stress may be present on the first syllable, but is weaker.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑn kəˈmensərəbl̩/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-sur-" can sometimes lead to ambiguity, but in this case, the vowel sound clearly separates it into two syllables. The final "-ble" is a common suffix and is generally treated as a single syllable. The schwa sound in the second syllable is typical in unstressed positions.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Noncommensurable" primarily functions as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Not capable of being measured or compared by a common standard.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: incomparable, immeasurable, disproportionate
• Antonyms: comparable, measurable, proportionate
• Examples: "The differences between their philosophies were noncommensurable." "The two cultures had values that were entirely noncommensurable."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Comparable: com-pa-ra-ble - Similar syllable structure, with a stress pattern on the third syllable.
• Commensurate: com-men-su-ra-te - Very similar structure, differing only in the final suffix. Stress pattern is identical.
• Incommensurable: in-com-men-su-ra-ble - Similar to the target word, differing only in the initial prefix. Stress pattern is identical.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rules:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-consonant-vowel (VCV): When a word has a sequence of vowel-consonant-vowel, it is typically divided between the consonants.
2. Syllable-final Consonant: Consonants at the end of a syllable are generally grouped with the preceding vowel.
3. Stress Placement: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.

Special Considerations:

The presence of multiple morphemes and the schwa sound in unstressed syllables can make syllabification challenging. However, the consistent application of the VCV rule and consideration of stress patterns provide a reliable breakdown.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "non" or "com," but the core syllabification remains consistent.

Short Analysis:

"Noncommensurable" is a six-syllable word (non-com-men-su-ra-ble) with primary stress on the third syllable ("men"). It's derived from Latin roots and functions as an adjective. Syllabification follows standard US English rules based on vowel sounds and consonant clusters.