Hyphenation ofself-complaisance
Syllable Division:
self-com-pla-i-sance
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌself kəmˈpleɪzəns/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
01100
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('pla'). Secondary stress on the first syllable ('self').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, initial syllable, lightly stressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, stressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, unstressed.
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: plais
Old French, ultimately from Latin *placere* 'to please'.
Suffix: ance
Old French, ultimately from Latin *-antia*, nominalizing suffix.
The state of being pleased with oneself; excessive satisfaction with one's own qualities or achievements.
Examples:
"His self-complaisance was irritating to those around him."
"She indulged in a moment of self-complaisance after receiving the award."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar vowel structure.
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar syllable structure.
Shares the '-ance' suffix and similar syllable structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel Rule
Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
Consonant Cluster Rule
Consonant clusters are often split based on sonority, but 'pl' remains together.
Prefix/Suffix Rule
Prefixes and suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
Stress Rule
Stress influences syllable prominence and vowel reduction.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The 'self-' prefix can be pronounced as a single syllable or separated.
The 'com-' element is an interfix and doesn't always follow strict syllabification rules.
Summary:
The word 'self-complaisance' is a five-syllable noun with primary stress on the third syllable. It's composed of the prefix 'self-', the root 'plais-', and the suffix '-ance'. Syllabification follows vowel and prefix/suffix rules, with some consideration for the interfix 'com-'. The word denotes excessive self-satisfaction.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-complaisance" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "self-complaisance" is pronounced /ˌself kəmˈpleɪzəns/. It presents challenges due to the compound structure and the presence of multiple vowels and consonants.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: self-com-pla-i-sance.
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the action is performed by the subject.
- Root: plais- (Old French, ultimately from Latin placere 'to please') - denoting a sense of pleasure or satisfaction.
- Suffix: -ance (Old French, ultimately from Latin -antia) - nominalizing suffix, forming a noun denoting a state, quality, or act.
- Interfix: com- (Latin) - intensifier, often meaning "with" or "together". It's functioning here as a linking element between the root and the suffix, rather than a fully independent morpheme.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: com-pla-i-sance. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable: self-com-pla-i-sance.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌself kəmˈpleɪzəns/
6. Edge Case Review:
The combination of 'compl' and 'aisance' can be tricky. The 'i' before 'sance' forms a syllable due to the vowel sound. The 'com-' element is often treated as a single unit with 'plais' in pronunciation.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-complaisance" functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The state of being pleased with oneself; excessive satisfaction with one's own qualities or achievements.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: self-satisfaction, smugness, conceit, vanity
- Antonyms: humility, modesty, self-effacement
- Examples: "His self-complaisance was irritating to those around him." "She indulged in a moment of self-complaisance after receiving the award."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Importance: /ɪmˈpɔrtəns/ - 3 syllables, stress on the second. Similar vowel structure, but lacks the initial consonant cluster.
- Appearance: /əˈpɪərəns/ - 3 syllables, stress on the second. Similar suffix '-ance', but different initial consonant and vowel sounds.
- Tolerance: /ˈtɒlərəns/ - 3 syllables, stress on the second. Again, shares the '-ance' suffix, but differs significantly in the initial syllable structure.
The consistent stress on the penultimate syllable in these words (when '-ance' is present) highlights a common pattern in English noun formation with this suffix.
10. Division Rules:
- Vowel Rule: Each vowel sound generally forms a syllable.
- Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are often split based on sonority, but in this case, 'pl' remains together as a single onset.
- Prefix/Suffix Rule: Prefixes and suffixes are generally separated into their own syllables.
- Stress Rule: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect vowel reduction in unstressed syllables.
11. Special Considerations:
The 'self-' prefix is often pronounced as a single syllable, but it can be separated for clarity in syllabification. The 'com-' element is an interfix and doesn't always follow strict syllabification rules.
12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the first syllable (/self/ to /sɛlf/), but this doesn't significantly alter the syllable division. Regional accents could affect vowel quality, but the core syllabic structure remains consistent.
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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.