Hyphenation ofself-contradictory
Syllable Division:
self-con-tra-dic-to-ry
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˈselfˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪk.tɔː.ri/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
100100
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('dic'). Secondary stress on the first syllable ('self').
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, stressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Closed syllable, primary stress.
Open syllable, unstressed.
Open 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: dict
Latin *dicere* - to say.
Suffix: -contradictory
Latin *contra* (against) + *dicere* (to say) + *-orius* (relating to).
Containing or characterized by contradiction; inconsistent.
Examples:
"His statement was self-contradictory."
"The politician's policies were often self-contradictory."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the root and initial syllables, similar stress pattern.
Shares the root and initial syllables, similar stress pattern.
Shares the 'self-' prefix, but differs in root and suffix structure.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule
Syllables are often divided after a vowel sound.
Maximize Onsets
Consonant clusters are generally kept together at the beginning of a syllable.
Stress Placement
Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect division in complex words.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The compound prefix 'self-' and multiple suffixes require careful consideration of morphemic boundaries.
Vowel clusters are common in English and do not present exceptional syllabification challenges.
Summary:
The word 'self-contradictory' is divided into six syllables: self-con-tra-dic-to-ry. Primary stress falls on 'dic'. It's morphologically complex, built from the prefix 'self-', the root 'dict', and suffixes indicating opposition and adjectival form. Syllabification follows standard English rules prioritizing vowel-consonant division and maximizing onsets.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-contradictory" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "self-contradictory" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation involves several vowel and consonant clusters, requiring careful syllabification. The typical pronunciation in US English is /ˈselfˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪk.tɔː.ri/.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters): self-con-tra-dic-to-ry
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the action is performed by the subject.
- Root: dict- (Latin dicere - to say) - the core meaning relating to speaking or asserting.
- Suffixes:
- -contra- (Latin contra - against) - indicating opposition or conflict.
- -dict- (Latin dicere - to say) - reiterating the root meaning.
- -ory (Latin -orius - relating to) - forming an adjective indicating a quality or characteristic.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: con-tra-dic-to-ry. A secondary stress appears on the first syllable: self-con-tra-dic-to-ry.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˈselfˌkɑːn.trəˈdɪk.tɔː.ri/
6. Edge Case Review:
The combination of multiple prefixes and suffixes, along with the vowel clusters, presents a complex case. The syllable division aims to adhere to the principle of maximizing onsets (consonant sounds at the beginning of a syllable).
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-contradictory" primarily functions as an adjective. The syllabification and stress pattern remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: Containing or characterized by contradiction; inconsistent.
- Grammatical Category: Adjective
- Synonyms: inconsistent, paradoxical, illogical, conflicting
- Antonyms: consistent, logical, coherent
- Examples: "His statement was self-contradictory." "The politician's policies were often self-contradictory."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- "contradiction": con-tra-dic-tion - Similar syllable structure, stress on "dic".
- "contradictory": con-tra-dic-to-ry - Shares the root and initial syllables, with the addition of "-ory".
- "self-assessment": self-as-sess-ment - Similar prefix "self-", but different root and suffix structure. The stress pattern differs, falling on "self" and "sess".
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| self | /self/ | Open syllable, stressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| con | /kɑːn/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| tra | /trə/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| dic | /ˈdɪk/ | Closed syllable, primary stress | Consonant cluster followed by vowel | None |
| to | /tɔː/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
| ry | /ri/ | Open syllable, unstressed | Vowel followed by consonant | None |
Exceptions/Special Cases (Word-Level):
The presence of the compound prefix "self-" and the multiple suffixes require careful consideration of morphemic boundaries. The vowel clusters (e.g., "to-ry") are common in English and do not present exceptional syllabification challenges.
Division Rules Applied:
- Vowel-Consonant (VC) Rule: Syllables are often divided after a vowel sound.
- Maximize Onsets: Consonant clusters are generally kept together at the beginning of a syllable (onset).
- Stress Placement: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect division in complex words.
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