Hyphenation ofreconfigurability

Linguistic Analysis of "reconfigurability"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "reconfigurability" is pronounced /ˌriːkənfɪɡjʊrəˈbɪlɪti/ in US English. It's a relatively complex word with multiple morphemes and a potential for varied stress patterns depending on context.

2. Syllable Division:

re-con-fig-u-ra-bil-i-ty

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: re- (Latin, meaning "again," "back," or "anew"). Morphological function: iterative/repetitive action.
• Root: configur- (Latin configurare, meaning "to form or shape"). Morphological function: core meaning of forming or arranging.
• Suffix: -ability (Latin -abilitas, English suffix). Morphological function: denotes capability or potential. This suffix is composed of -able (capable of being) + -ity (nominalization).

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: /rɪˌkɒn.fɪ.ɡjʊ.ˈrə.bɪ.lɪ.ti/. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌriːkənfɪɡjʊrəˈbɪlɪti/

6. Edge Case Review:

The sequence "-gur-" can sometimes be a point of syllabification ambiguity, but in this case, it follows the rule of maximizing onsets. The "fig" cluster is a common and accepted syllable onset.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Reconfigurability" primarily functions as a noun. While theoretically, one could attempt to use it adjectivally (e.g., "the reconfigurability features"), the stress pattern and syllabification would remain consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The quality or capability of being reconfigured; the ability to be arranged or adapted differently.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: adaptability, flexibility, malleability, convertibility
• Antonyms: rigidity, inflexibility, immutability
• Examples:
  • "The software's reconfigurability allows it to adapt to various hardware platforms."
  • "The reconfigurability of the manufacturing process reduced production costs."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Responsibility: re-spon-si-bil-i-ty (6 syllables). Similar structure with a prefix, root, and -ity suffix. Stress on the penultimate syllable.
• Accessibility: ac-ces-si-bil-i-ty (6 syllables). Similar suffix structure (-ibility). Stress on the antepenultimate syllable.
• Possibility: pos-si-bil-i-ty (5 syllables). Shorter, but shares the -ibility suffix and a similar stress pattern.

The differences in syllable count are due to the length and complexity of the root morpheme. "Reconfigurability" has a longer root ("configur-") than the others.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel Rule: Each vowel sound generally forms the nucleus of a syllable.
2. CVC Rule: Consonant-Vowel-Consonant sequences are typically divided into syllables based on the vowel.
3. Maximize Onset Complexity: When possible, consonants are assigned to the onset of the following syllable to create permissible syllable structures.

Special Considerations:

The word's length and multiple morphemes make it a complex case. The division aims to reflect both phonological rules and morphemic boundaries.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might reduce the vowel in "re-" to /rə/, leading to a slightly different pronunciation. This wouldn't significantly alter the syllabification.