Hyphenation ofself-centredness
Syllable Division:
self-cen-tred-ness
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/selfˈsɛntərdnəs/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('cen'). The first and fourth syllables are unstressed, and the second syllable receives secondary stress.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Closed syllable, containing a vowel and consonant cluster.
Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, containing a vowel and consonant cluster.
Closed syllable, containing a consonant and schwa.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix: self
Old English reflexive pronoun, functioning as a prefix.
Root: centre
Latin *centrum*, from Greek *kentron*; core meaning relating to a point around which things revolve.
Suffix: edness
Combination of -ed (past tense/participle, adjectival function) and -ness (noun-forming suffix denoting a state or quality).
The quality of being excessively preoccupied with oneself; egotism.
Examples:
"His self-centredness made it difficult to maintain a relationship."
"The politician's self-centredness was evident in his disregard for public opinion."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the '-ness' suffix and a similar structure with multiple syllables.
Shares the '-ness' suffix, demonstrating a consistent syllabification pattern.
More complex structure, but demonstrates the consistent syllabification of suffixes and vowel-consonant patterns.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel Rule
Each syllable must contain at least one vowel sound.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they are easily divisible based on pronunciation.
Onset-Rime Rule
Syllables are often divided into an onset (initial consonant(s)) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The spelling 'centred' is a British English variant; US English typically uses 'centered', but the syllabification remains the same.
The pronunciation of the schwa sound /ə/ in 'centred' and 'ness' can vary slightly depending on regional accent.
Summary:
The word 'self-centredness' is a four-syllable noun with primary stress on the third syllable. It's formed from the prefix 'self-', the root 'centre', and the suffixes '-ed' and '-ness'. Syllabification follows standard US English rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and maintaining consonant clusters.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-centredness" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "self-centredness" is pronounced with a relatively consistent articulation across most US English dialects. The 'r' in "centred" is typically rhotic (pronounced). The vowel sounds are standard American English vowels.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):
self-cen-tred-ness
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
- Root: centre (Latin centrum, from Greek kentron) - the core meaning relating to a point around which things revolve.
- Suffix: -ed (Old English) - past tense/participle marker, here functioning adjectivally.
- Suffix: -ness (Old English) - noun-forming suffix denoting a state or quality.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: cen-tred.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/selfˈsɛntərdnəs/
6. Edge Case Review:
The spelling "centre" vs. "center" is a common variation. The syllabification remains the same regardless of the spelling. The 'l' in 'self' doesn't typically create a syllable on its own.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-centredness" functions primarily as a noun. The syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical role.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality of being excessively preoccupied with oneself; egotism.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: egotism, selfishness, narcissism, conceit
- Antonyms: altruism, selflessness, humility
- Examples: "His self-centredness made it difficult to maintain a relationship." "The politician's self-centredness was evident in his disregard for public opinion."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar structure with a suffix. Stress on the second syllable.
- kindness: kind-ness - Simpler structure, but shares the -ness suffix. Stress on the first syllable.
- thoughtfulness: thought-ful-ness - More complex, but demonstrates the consistent syllabification of suffixes. Stress on the first syllable.
The differences in stress placement are due to the inherent stress patterns of the root morphemes and the influence of the prefixes/suffixes.
Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rules:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| self | /sɛlf/ | Closed syllable | VCC rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable. | None |
| cen | /sɛn/ | Open syllable | Vowel followed by consonant. | None |
| tred | /tərd/ | Closed syllable | Consonant cluster 'tr' is maintained. | None |
| ness | /nəs/ | Closed syllable | Consonant followed by schwa and 's'. | None |
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel Rule: Each syllable must contain at least one vowel sound.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable unless they are easily divisible based on pronunciation.
- Onset-Rime Rule: Syllables are often divided into an onset (initial consonant(s)) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Special Considerations:
- The spelling "centred" is a British English variant. US English typically uses "centered," but the syllabification remains the same.
- The pronunciation of the schwa sound /ə/ in "centred" and "ness" can vary slightly depending on regional accent.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in "self" to a schwa, but this doesn't affect the syllabification.
Short Analysis:
"Self-centredness" is a four-syllable noun with primary stress on the third syllable (/ˈsɛntərd/). It's formed from the prefix "self-", the root "centre", and the suffixes "-ed" and "-ness". Syllabification follows standard US English rules, prioritizing vowel sounds and maintaining consonant clusters.
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What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.
This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.
With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.