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Hyphenation ofself-condemnation

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

self-con-dem-na-tion

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/ˌselfkɑndɛmˈneɪʃən/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00100

Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('dem'). The stress pattern is typical for words ending in '-tion'.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

self/sɛlf/

Open syllable, unstressed.

con/kɑn/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

dem/dɛm/

Closed syllable, stressed.

na/neɪ/

Open syllable, unstressed.

tion/ʃən/

Closed syllable, unstressed.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

self(prefix)
+
condemn(root)
+
ation(suffix)

Prefix: self

Old English, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.

Root: condemn

Latin *condemnare*, meaning 'to sentence'.

Suffix: ation

Latin, noun-forming suffix.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The act of judging oneself harshly or critically; severe self-reproach.

Examples:

"His constant self-condemnation was exhausting to be around."

"She struggled with feelings of self-condemnation after the mistake."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

informationin-for-ma-tion

Shares the '-tion' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

examinationex-am-i-na-tion

Shares the '-tion' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

determinationde-ter-mi-na-tion

Shares the '-tion' suffix and a similar stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Rule

Each syllable contains at least one vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are maintained unless easily divisible.

Prefix/Suffix Rule

Prefixes and suffixes are typically separated into their own syllables.

Stress-Timing Rule

Syllable duration is adjusted to accommodate stressed syllables.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

Regional variations in the pronunciation of 'self' (e.g., /sɛl/).

The '-tion' suffix consistently attracts stress in English nouns.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'self-condemnation' is divided into five syllables: self-con-dem-na-tion. The primary stress falls on the third syllable ('dem'). It's a noun formed from the prefix 'self-', the root 'condemn', and the suffix '-ation'. Syllabification follows standard English vowel and consonant cluster rules, with the '-tion' suffix influencing stress placement.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "self-condemnation" (US English)

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "self-condemnation" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation involves a blend of stressed and unstressed syllables, and the presence of consonant clusters requires careful consideration during syllabification.

2. Syllable Division:

Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):

self-con-dem-na-tion

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix, indicating the action is performed by the subject upon itself.
  • Root: condemn (Latin condemnare – ‘to sentence’) - the core meaning of the word, denoting a judgment of guilt or disapproval.
  • Suffix: -ation (Latin) - a noun-forming suffix, transforming the verb "condemn" into a noun denoting the act of condemning.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-dem-na-tion. This is determined by the general rule that stress often falls on the penultimate syllable in words ending in -tion, unless overridden by other factors (like a strong prefix).

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌselfkɑndɛmˈneɪʃən/

6. Edge Case Review:

The consonant cluster "-ndem-" presents a potential edge case. However, English allows for complex onsets and codas, and this cluster is permissible. The "self-" prefix is often pronounced with a reduced vowel /self/ or even /sɛlf/.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Self-condemnation" primarily functions as a noun. While "condemn" can be a verb, the addition of "-ation" solidifies the word's noun status. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of the root word's potential verb form.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The act of judging oneself harshly or critically; severe self-reproach.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: self-reproach, self-criticism, self-denunciation
  • Antonyms: self-acceptance, self-forgiveness
  • Examples:
    • "His constant self-condemnation was exhausting to be around."
    • "She struggled with feelings of self-condemnation after the mistake."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Information: /ˌɪnfərˈmeɪʃən/ - Syllables: in-for-ma-tion. Similar in ending "-tion" and stress pattern.
  • Examination: /ɪɡˌzæmɪˈneɪʃən/ - Syllables: ex-am-i-na-tion. Similar in ending "-tion" and stress pattern.
  • Determination: /ˌdɪtər.mɪˈneɪʃən/ - Syllables: de-ter-mi-na-tion. Similar in ending "-tion" and stress pattern.

The consistent stress on the penultimate syllable before "-tion" demonstrates a common pattern in English noun formation. The differences in the initial syllable structures are due to the different consonant and vowel combinations in the root words.

10. Division Rules:

  • 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.
  • Prefix/Suffix Rule: Prefixes and suffixes are typically separated into their own syllables.
  • Stress-Timing Rule: English is a stress-timed language, meaning syllables are adjusted in duration to accommodate stressed syllables.

11. Special Considerations:

The pronunciation of "self" can vary regionally, sometimes being reduced to /sɛl/. This doesn't significantly alter the syllabification. The "-tion" suffix is a common source of syllabic stress in English nouns.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/8/2025

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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.