Hyphenation ofself-concentered

Linguistic Analysis of "self-concentered"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "self-concentered" is pronounced as /ˌselfkənˈsentərd/ in General American English. It presents challenges due to the prefix, compound structure, and the presence of multiple vowels.

2. Syllable Division:

Following English syllabification rules, the word divides as follows: self-con-cen-tered.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
• Root: con- (Latin com- meaning "with, together") - a prefix indicating a joining or collective action.
• Root: center (Latin centrum from Greek kentron meaning "point, sharp object") - the core meaning relating to a central point or focus.
• Suffix: -ed (Old English) - past tense/past participle marker.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-cen-tered. Secondary stress is present on the first syllable: self-con-cen-tered.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌselfkənˈsentərd/

6. Edge Case Review:

The combination of "con" and "center" can sometimes lead to ambiguity in syllabification, but the pronunciation clearly separates them. The 'l' in 'self' is often reduced or elided in rapid speech, but it remains part of the syllable for formal analysis.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Self-concentered" primarily functions as an adjective. While it could theoretically be used in a more complex construction as part of a verb phrase, the core syllabification remains consistent.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Excessively preoccupied with oneself; self-absorbed and focused on one's own interests and importance.
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: egotistical, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-involved.
• Antonyms: altruistic, selfless, considerate, empathetic.
• Examples: "His self-concentered behavior alienated his friends." "She was so self-concentered that she didn't notice anyone else's needs."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• concentrate: con-cen-trate - Similar syllable structure, stress on the second syllable. The addition of "-ate" alters the final syllable.
• self-control: self-con-trol - Similar prefix, different root. Stress on the first syllable.
• decentered: de-cen-tered - Similar root, different prefix. Stress on the second syllable.

The differences in stress placement are due to the varying number of syllables and the influence of the prefixes. The presence of the 'l' in 'self' also affects the syllable weight and stress patterns.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

• self: /self/ - Open syllable, containing a vowel followed by consonant blend. Rule applied: V-C syllable division.
• con: /kən/ - Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant. Rule applied: V-C syllable division.
• cen: /sent/ - Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant blend. Rule applied: C-V syllable division.
• tered: /tərd/ - Closed syllable, vowel followed by consonant blend. Rule applied: C-V syllable division.

Division Rules Applied:

• V-C Division: When a vowel is followed by a consonant, the syllable break typically occurs after the vowel.
• C-V Division: When a consonant is followed by a vowel, the syllable break typically occurs before the vowel.
• Consonant Blends: Consonant blends (e.g., "lf", "nt") are generally kept together within a syllable.

Special Considerations:

• The prefix "self-" can sometimes be pronounced with a reduced vowel /sɛlf/, but the syllabification remains the same.
• The pronunciation of "con" can vary slightly depending on regional accents.
• The word is relatively uncommon, so there may be some variation in individual pronunciations.

Short Analysis:

"Self-concentered" is a four-syllable adjective with primary stress on the third syllable. It's formed from the prefix "self-", the root "con-center", and the suffix "-ed". Syllabification follows standard English V-C and C-V division rules, with consonant blends remaining intact. The word describes someone excessively focused on themselves.