Hyphenation ofunintermittingness

Linguistic Analysis of "unintermittingness"

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "unintermittingness" is a complex word with multiple morphemes. Its pronunciation in US English is approximately /ʌnˌɪntərˈmɪtɪŋnəs/. It features several consonant clusters and a secondary stress.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets (consonants belonging to the following syllable) and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows: un-in-ter-mit-ting-ness.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: un- (Old English) - Negation.
• Root: term- (Latin terminus - boundary, end) - Related to limits or stopping.
• Inter-: Combining form (Latin inter- - between, among) - Indicates occurrence between intervals.
• Suffix: -ing (English) - Present participle/gerund, forming an adjective.
• Suffix: -ness (English) - Noun-forming suffix, denoting a state or quality.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the fifth syllable: ting. A secondary stress is present on the third syllable: ter.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ʌnˌɪntərˈmɪtɪŋnəs/

6. Edge Case Review:

The word presents a challenge due to the multiple suffixes and consonant clusters. The "mit" cluster is relatively common, but the "-ingness" combination is less frequent and requires careful consideration of syllable weight.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Unintermittingness" functions solely as a noun. There are no shifts in syllabification or stress if the word were to hypothetically function as another part of speech.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The state or quality of not stopping or being interrupted; continuousness.
• Grammatical Category: Noun
• Synonyms: persistence, continuity, constancy, steadfastness
• Antonyms: intermittence, interruption, discontinuity
• Examples: "The unintermittingness of the rain was depressing." "Her unintermittingness in pursuing her goals was admirable."

9. Phonological Comparison:

• "uninterestingness": un-in-ter-est-ing-ness. Similar structure, stress on the fourth syllable. The "est" cluster is less complex than "mit," leading to a slightly different stress pattern.
• "uncompromisingness": un-com-pro-mis-ing-ness. Similar prefix and suffix structure. Stress on the fifth syllable. The "com" prefix adds a syllable.
• "intermittency": in-ter-mit-ten-cy. Shares the "inter-mit" root. Stress on the third syllable. Lacks the "un-" prefix and "-ness" suffix, resulting in a shorter word and different stress.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable Division Rules Applied:

1. Maximize Onsets: Consonants are generally assigned to the following syllable whenever possible.
2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants are not left alone to begin a syllable.
3. Vowel-Consonant-Consonant (VCC) Pattern: In VCC patterns, the first consonant typically joins the preceding vowel to form a syllable.

Special Considerations:

The "-ingness" suffix is relatively uncommon, and its syllabification requires careful consideration of stress and syllable weight. The primary stress on "ting" is crucial for distinguishing this word from similar forms.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in the unstressed syllables, but the core syllabification remains consistent.