Hyphenation ofself-significance
Syllable Division:
self-sig-ni-fi-cance
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/ˌselfˈsɪɡnɪfɪkəns/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
00100
Primary stress falls on the third syllable ('fi'). The first and last syllables are unstressed.
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, initial syllable.
Closed syllable.
Open syllable.
Open syllable, stressed.
Closed syllable.
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: sign
Latin *signum* meaning 'mark, signal'.
Suffix: i-fic-ance
Latin and English suffixes: connecting vowel, verb-forming, and noun-forming.
The quality or state of being significant to oneself; a sense of personal importance or meaning.
Examples:
"He found a deep sense of self-significance in his work."
"Her self-significance was often mistaken for arrogance."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
Shares the same root and suffix structure, demonstrating consistent stress patterns.
Similar suffix structure (-ence), illustrating a common English phonological pattern.
Similar suffix structure (-ence), demonstrating a consistent stress pattern.
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
Onset-Rime
Syllables are divided into an onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).
Vowel Division
Syllables generally occur around vowel sounds.
Consonant Cluster Division
Consonant clusters are often split, but attempts are made to keep affixes intact.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The prefix 'self-' is typically kept as a separate syllable.
The connecting vowel 'i' is crucial for linking the root and suffixes.
Summary:
The word 'self-significance' is divided into five syllables: self-sig-ni-fi-cance, with primary stress on the third syllable ('fi'). It comprises the prefix 'self-', the root 'sign-', and the suffixes '-i-fic-ance'. The syllabification follows standard English rules of onset-rime division and vowel-based separation.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "self-significance" (US English)
1. Pronunciation Examination:
The word "self-significance" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation involves a blend of common English vowel and consonant sounds. The stress pattern is crucial for accurate pronunciation and syllabification.
2. Syllable Division:
Following US English syllabification rules, the word breaks down as follows (using only original letters):
self-sig-ni-fi-cance
3. Morphemic Analysis:
- Prefix: self- (Old English) - reflexive pronoun functioning as a prefix indicating the subject is also the object of the action.
- Root: sign- (Latin signum meaning "mark, signal") - denoting meaning or indication.
- Suffixes:
- -i- (Latin) - connecting vowel, often found between a root and a suffix.
- -fic- (Latin facere meaning "to make") - verb-forming suffix, creating a verb from a noun or adjective.
- -ance (Latin -antia) - noun-forming suffix, denoting a state, quality, or act.
- -e (English) - silent 'e' often used to modify vowel sounds.
4. Stress Identification:
The primary stress falls on the third syllable: sig-ni-fi-cance.
5. Phonetic Transcription:
/ˌselfˈsɪɡnɪfɪkəns/
6. Edge Case Review:
The combination of multiple suffixes and the connecting vowel 'i' presents a slight complexity. However, standard syllabification rules apply consistently.
7. Grammatical Role:
"Self-significance" primarily functions as a noun. The syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role.
8. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: The quality or state of being significant to oneself; a sense of personal importance or meaning.
- Grammatical Category: Noun
- Synonyms: self-importance, self-regard, consequence, meaning, relevance.
- Antonyms: insignificance, unimportance, triviality.
- Examples:
- "He found a deep sense of self-significance in his work."
- "Her self-significance was often mistaken for arrogance."
9. Phonological Comparison:
- Significance: sig-ni-fi-cance - Similar structure, stress on the 'fi' syllable.
- Intelligence: in-tel-li-gence - Similar suffix structure (-ence), stress on the second syllable.
- Confidence: con-fi-dence - Similar suffix structure (-ence), stress on the second syllable.
The consistent stress on the penultimate syllable in words ending in "-ence" demonstrates a regular pattern in English phonology. "Self-significance" deviates slightly due to the prefix, shifting the stress forward.
Detailed Syllable Analysis:
| Syllable | IPA Transcription | Description | Rule Applied | Exceptions/Special Cases |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| self | /self/ | Open syllable, initial syllable | Onset-Rime division, vowel followed by consonant | None |
| sig | /sɪɡ/ | Closed syllable | Consonant cluster followed by vowel | None |
| ni | /nɪ/ | Open syllable | Vowel preceded by consonant | None |
| fi | /fɪ/ | Open syllable, stressed | Vowel preceded by consonant, primary stress | None |
| cance | /kəns/ | Closed syllable | Consonant cluster followed by vowel, final syllable | None |
Division Rules Applied:
- Onset-Rime: Syllables are divided into an onset (initial consonant sound(s)) and a rime (vowel and any following consonants).
- Vowel Division: Syllables generally occur around vowel sounds.
- Consonant Cluster Division: Consonant clusters are often split, but attempts are made to keep affixes intact.
Special Considerations:
The prefix "self-" is a relatively stable unit and is typically kept as a separate syllable. The connecting vowel 'i' is crucial for linking the root and suffixes.
Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
While the provided transcription is standard US English, some regional variations might exist in vowel quality or stress intensity. However, the core syllabification remains consistent.
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What is hyphenation
Hyphenation is the process of dividing words across lines in print or on websites. It involves inserting hyphens (-) where a word breaks to continue on the next line.
Proper hyphenation improves readability by reducing the unevenness of word spacing and unnecessary large gaps. It also helps avoid confusion that may occur when part of a word carries over. Ideal hyphenation should break words according to pronunciation and syllables. Most word processors and publishing apps have automated tools to handle hyphenation effectively based on language rules and dictionaries. Though subtle, proper hyphenation improves overall typography and reading comfort.