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Hyphenation ofself-reformation

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

self-re-for-ma-tion

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

/ˌself.ri.fɔːrˈmeɪ.ʃən/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00010

Primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('ma'). The first three syllables are unstressed, and the final syllable is also unstressed.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

self/self/

Open syllable, initial syllable, unstressed.

re/ri/

Open syllable, unstressed.

for/fɔːr/

Open syllable, unstressed.

ma/meɪ/

Open syllable, primary stressed syllable.

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)
+
form(root)
+
re-ation(suffix)

Prefix: self

Old English origin, reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix.

Root: form

Latin origin (forma), meaning 'shape, appearance'.

Suffix: re-ation

Latin origins (re- and -atio), indicating repetition and the formation of a noun denoting an action.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

The act of reforming oneself; improvement of one's own character or behavior.

Examples:

"His journey of self-reformation was long and arduous."

"The program aims to facilitate self-reformation among offenders."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

informationin-for-ma-tion

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

transformationtrans-for-ma-tion

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

deformationde-for-ma-tion

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

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Rule

Syllables are built around vowel sounds; each syllable typically contains one vowel sound.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are split to maintain pronounceability.

Prefix/Suffix Rule

Prefixes and suffixes often form separate syllables.

Stress Rule

Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect vowel reduction.

Special Considerations

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

The 'self-' prefix is a compound word element, and its integration into the overall syllable count is standard.

The vowel sounds in 'reformation' are relatively straightforward and don't present unusual syllabification challenges.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'self-reformation' is divided into five syllables: self-re-for-ma-tion. The primary stress falls on the fourth syllable ('ma'). The word consists of the prefix 'self-', the root 'form', and the suffix 're-ation'. Syllabification follows standard vowel and consonant cluster rules, with stress influencing syllable prominence.

Detailed Analysis:

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

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "self-reformation" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation involves several vowel and consonant sounds, and the stress pattern is crucial for accurate syllabification.

2. Syllable Division:

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

self-re-for-ma-tion

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix, indicating the action is performed by the subject.
  • Root: form (Latin forma - shape, appearance) - to give shape to; create.
  • Suffixes: -re- (Latin re- - again, back) - indicating repetition or reversal. -ation (Latin -atio - action, process) - forming a noun denoting an action or result.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the third syllable: re-for-ma-tion. This is determined by the general rule that stress tends to fall on the penultimate syllable in words ending in -tion, unless overridden by other factors (like a strong prefix).

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˌself.ri.fɔːrˈmeɪ.ʃən/

6. Edge Case Review:

The combination of the prefix "self-" and the root "form" can sometimes lead to ambiguity in pronunciation, but the standard pronunciation is well-established. The "-re-" prefix is relatively common and doesn't present significant syllabification issues.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Self-reformation" primarily functions as a noun. While a verb "self-reform" exists, the noun form doesn't significantly alter the syllabification or stress pattern.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: The act of reforming oneself; improvement of one's own character or behavior.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun
  • Synonyms: self-improvement, self-renewal, rehabilitation, betterment.
  • Antonyms: stagnation, deterioration, regression.
  • Examples:
    • "His journey of self-reformation was long and arduous."
    • "The program aims to facilitate self-reformation among offenders."

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Information: in-for-ma-tion (4 syllables, stress on 'ma') - Similar suffix '-tion', stress pattern follows the same rule.
  • Transformation: trans-for-ma-tion (4 syllables, stress on 'ma') - Similar suffix '-tion', stress pattern follows the same rule.
  • Deformation: de-for-ma-tion (4 syllables, stress on 'ma') - Similar suffix '-tion', stress pattern follows the same rule.

These words share the "-tion" suffix and exhibit the same stress pattern on the penultimate syllable, demonstrating consistency in syllabification rules. The prefixes in these words do not alter the core syllabic structure of the root and suffix.

10. Division Rules:

  • Vowel Rule: Syllables are often built around vowel sounds. Each syllable typically contains one vowel sound.
  • Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally split to maintain pronounceability.
  • Prefix/Suffix Rule: Prefixes and suffixes often form separate syllables.
  • Stress Rule: Stress influences syllable prominence and can affect vowel reduction.

11. Special Considerations:

The "self-" prefix is a compound word element, and its integration into the overall syllable count is standard. The vowel sounds in "reformation" are relatively straightforward and don't present unusual syllabification challenges.

12. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the provided IPA transcription represents the most common US English pronunciation, slight variations may occur based on regional accents. These variations are unlikely to significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/11/2025

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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.