Hyphenation ofself-composedness

Linguistic Analysis of "self-composedness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "self-composedness" is pronounced as /ˌself kəmˈpoʊzd nəs/ in General American English. It exhibits a complex structure with multiple morphemes and potential syllabification challenges due to consonant clusters and vowel sequences.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: self-com-posed-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix, indicating the action is performed by the subject.
• Root: compose (Latin compositus, past participle of componere – to put together) - verb meaning to create or form.
• Suffix: -ed (Old English) - past participle marker, indicating completed action.
• Suffix: -ness (Old English) - noun-forming suffix, denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: com-posed-ness. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable: self-com-posed-ness.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌself kəmˈpoʊzd nəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The consonant cluster "-mp-" in "composed" could potentially lead to alternative syllabifications, but the standard rule of keeping consonant blends within a syllable prevails. The schwa sound /ə/ in "com" is common in unstressed syllables.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Self-composedness" 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 calm, self-possessed, and in control of one's emotions.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: composure, equanimity, serenity, poise
• Antonyms: agitation, discomposure, nervousness, anxiety
• Examples: "Her self-composedness during the crisis was admirable." "He maintained a remarkable degree of self-composedness despite the bad news."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• happiness: hap-pi-ness - Similar suffix "-ness", stress on the second syllable.
• thoughtfulness: thought-ful-ness - Similar suffix "-ness", stress on the second syllable.
• unhappiness: un-hap-pi-ness - Prefix "un-" and suffix "-ness", stress on the second syllable.

The syllable division in "self-composedness" differs due to the compound structure (self + composed) and the length of the root word. The other words are simpler in structure, leading to more straightforward syllabifications.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

• self: /self/ - Open syllable, containing a vowel followed by consonant blend. Rule: Vowel-consonant syllables are typically open.
• com: /kəm/ - Open syllable, containing a vowel followed by consonant. Rule: Vowel-consonant syllables are typically open.
• posed: /poʊzd/ - Closed syllable, containing a vowel followed by consonant cluster. Rule: Consonant clusters remain within the syllable following the vowel.
• ness: /nəs/ - Closed syllable, containing a vowel followed by consonant. Rule: Vowel-consonant syllables are typically closed.

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-Consonant Syllabification: Syllables are often formed around vowel sounds, with consonants following the vowel belonging to that syllable.
2. Consonant Blend Retention: Consonant blends (e.g., "mp", "lf") are generally kept together within the same syllable.
3. Stress-Timing: English is a stress-timed language, influencing syllable prominence and duration.

Special Considerations:

• The prefix "self-" is often treated as a separate syllable due to its distinct meaning and historical origin.
• The vowel reduction in the unstressed syllables "com" and "ness" is a common phonological process in English.
• Regional variations in pronunciation might affect the precise phonetic realization of the vowels, but the core syllabification remains consistent.

Short Analysis:

"Self-composedness" is a four-syllable noun with primary stress on "posed". It's formed from the prefix "self-", the root "compose", and the suffixes "-ed" and "-ness". Syllabification follows vowel-consonant and consonant blend retention rules. The word denotes a state of calmness and self-control.