Hyphenation ofnonexcusableness

Linguistic Analysis of "nonexcusableness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "nonexcusableness" 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 can lead to variations in stress and vowel reduction.

2. Syllable Division:

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

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: non- (Latin origin, meaning "not"). Morphological function: negation.
• Root: excus- (Latin excusare, meaning "to excuse"). Morphological function: base meaning.
• Suffix: -able (Latin -abilis, meaning "capable of being"). Morphological function: adjective formation.
• Suffix: -ness (Old English -nes, meaning "state of being"). Morphological function: noun formation.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable: non-ex-cus-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, but is influenced by the presence of the suffix "-ness".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑn.ɪkˈskjuː.zə.bl̩.nəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The syllable "ble" is potentially a weak syllable, and the schwa sound /ə/ is common in unstressed syllables. The syllabic consonant /l̩/ in "ble" is a common feature of US English pronunciation.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Nonexcusableness" 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 not morphologically adaptable to other grammatical categories.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The quality or state of being inexcusable; unpardonable character.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: unpardonability, inexcusability, unforgivability
• Antonyms: excusability, pardonableness
• Examples: "The nonexcusableness of his actions shocked everyone." "There is no justification for the nonexcusableness of such behavior."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty. Similar syllable structure with multiple suffixes. Stress falls on the third syllable, differing from "nonexcusableness" due to the different vowel qualities and suffix weight.
• Understandableness: un-der-stand-a-ble-ness. Similar structure with a different root. Stress falls on the third syllable, again differing due to vowel and root differences.
• Impossibility: im-pos-si-bil-i-ty. Shorter, but shares the "-ibility" suffix. Stress falls on the third syllable, differing due to the shorter root and prefix.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):

The length of the word and the multiple suffixes contribute to the potential for vowel reduction in unstressed syllables. The syllabic /l/ in "ble" is a common phonetic realization but doesn't affect the orthographic syllabification.

Division Rules Applied:

1. Onset-Rime: Dividing syllables based on the consonant onset and vowel-containing rime.
2. Consonant-Vowel: Dividing syllables between consonants and vowels.
3. Vowel-Only: Syllables consisting solely of a vowel sound.
4. Syllabic Consonant: Recognizing and syllabifying consonants that function as syllable nuclei (e.g., /l̩/).