Hyphenation ofnonresponsibility

Linguistic Analysis of "nonresponsibility"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "nonresponsibility" is pronounced /ˌnɑn.rɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/ in General American English. It presents challenges due to the prefix "non-", the complex consonant clusters, and the multiple schwas.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows (using only original letters): non-re-spon-si-bil-i-ty

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: non- (Latin origin, meaning "not"). Morphological function: negation.
• Root: spon- (Latin spondere "to pledge, promise"). Morphological function: core meaning related to response or obligation.
• Suffix: -sibility (Latin -bilis "able" + *-ity" forming abstract nouns). Morphological function: creates a noun denoting a quality or state of being.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /ˌnɑn.rɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/. This is typical for words ending in -ity.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌnɑn.rɪˌspɑn.səˈbɪl.ɪ.ti/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "ns" is a common but sometimes challenging cluster. The rule generally allows it within a syllable if it doesn't create an overly complex onset. The "re" sequence is also a common syllable onset.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Nonresponsibility" functions primarily as a noun. While theoretically it could be used attributively (e.g., "nonresponsibility clause"), the syllabification and stress remain consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The state or quality of not being responsible; lack of accountability.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: irresponsibility, unaccountability, dereliction
• Antonyms: responsibility, accountability
• Examples: "His nonresponsibility for the project's failure was evident." "The company accepted full nonresponsibility for the damages."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• possibility: pos-si-bil-i-ty. Similar structure with -ibility suffix. Stress falls on the penultimate syllable.
• responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty. The addition of the "non-" prefix shifts the stress slightly but maintains the overall syllable structure.
• capability: ca-pa-bil-i-ty. Similar -ibility suffix, but a simpler onset. Stress on the antepenultimate syllable.

Syllable Breakdown Details:

• non-: /nɑn/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant(s). Exception: Prefix often forms its own syllable.
• re-: /rɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant.
• spon-: /spɑn/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by vowel and consonant.
• si-: /sə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant.
• bil-: /bɪl/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant cluster.
• i-: /ɪ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel standing alone.
• ty-: /ti/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant.

Division Rules Applied:

• Vowel-Consonant Division: Syllables are often divided before the first consonant following a vowel.
• Consonant Cluster Division: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are complex and disrupt phonotactic well-formedness.
• Prefix/Suffix Separation: Prefixes and suffixes often form separate syllables.

Special Considerations:

The "non-" prefix can sometimes be debated, but it's generally accepted as a separate syllable due to its historical origin and function. The "ns" cluster is permissible in English onsets.