Hyphenation ofwhat-d'you-call-it
Syllable Division:
what-d'you-call-it
Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)
/wʌt djuː kɔl ɪt/
Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)
0010
Primary stress falls on the syllable 'call' (third syllable).
Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound
Open syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Open syllable, consonant cluster followed by a diphthong. Represents a contraction.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Closed syllable, vowel followed by a consonant.
Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)
Prefix:
Root: call
Old English origin, verb
Suffix:
A phrase used when one cannot remember the name of something.
Examples:
"Pass me that… what-d'you-call-it… the thing for opening bottles."
Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features
The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end
V-C Rule
When a vowel is followed by a consonant, the syllable break typically occurs after the vowel.
Consonant Cluster + Vowel
When a consonant cluster precedes a vowel, the entire cluster is usually part of the syllable beginning with the vowel.
Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure
The phrase is colloquial and contains a contraction ('d'you') which affects pronunciation and syllabification.
The reduced form 'd'' requires consideration of elision and assimilation.
Summary:
The phrase 'what-d'you-call-it' is divided into four syllables: what-d'you-call-it. The primary stress falls on 'call'. The phrase contains a contraction ('d'you') which is a key consideration in its analysis. Syllable division follows standard V-C and consonant cluster rules, with exceptions due to the colloquial nature of the phrase.
Detailed Analysis:
Linguistic Analysis of "what-d'you-call-it" (US English)
This analysis will break down the phrase "what-d'you-call-it" into its constituent syllables, morphemes, and phonetic representation, adhering to US English phonological rules. This is a complex case due to its colloquial nature and contractions.
1. IPA Transcription:
/wʌt djuː kɔl ɪt/
2. Morphemic Breakdown:
- what: Interrogative pronoun (Old English origin). Function: Initiates the question.
- d': Reduced form of "did" (auxiliary verb, past tense of "do"). Origin: Old English. Function: Auxiliary verb forming a contraction.
- you: Pronoun (Old English origin). Function: Subject pronoun.
- call: Verb (Old English origin). Function: Main verb.
- it: Pronoun (Old English origin). Function: Object pronoun.
3. Stressed Syllables:
The primary stress falls on "call".
4. Syllables List with IPA and Rule Explanations:
- what: /wʌt/ - Open syllable. Vowel followed by a consonant. Syllable division rule: V-C (Vowel-Consonant).
- d'you: /djuː/ - Open syllable. Consonant cluster followed by a diphthong. Syllable division rule: Consonant cluster + Vowel. The 'd' is a reduced form of 'did' and is pronounced as /dʒ/.
- call: /kɔl/ - Closed syllable. Vowel followed by a consonant. Syllable division rule: V-C.
- it: /ɪt/ - Closed syllable. Vowel followed by a consonant. Syllable division rule: V-C.
5. Syllable Division Rule Explanations:
- V-C Rule: This is the most common syllable division rule in English. When a vowel is followed by a consonant, the syllable break typically occurs after the vowel.
- Consonant Cluster + Vowel: When a consonant cluster precedes a vowel, the entire cluster is usually part of the syllable beginning with the vowel.
6. Exceptions/Special Cases (per syllable):
- what: No significant exceptions.
- d'you: The contraction 'd'you' is an exception to standard syllable division, as it represents a reduced form of "did you". The pronunciation /djuː/ is a result of elision and assimilation.
- call: No significant exceptions.
- it: No significant exceptions.
7. Exceptions/Special Cases (whole word):
The entire phrase is an exception in terms of formal syllabification due to its colloquial nature and contractions. Standard syllabification rules are applied to each component, but the overall structure is unconventional.
8. Grammatical Role & Syllabification Shifts:
The phrase functions as an interjection or a substitute for a noun. Syllabification does not shift based on grammatical role in this case, as it's a fixed phrase.
9. Definition & Semantics:
- Definition: A phrase used when one cannot remember the name of something.
- Grammatical Category: Interjection/Noun Phrase
- Synonyms: thingamajig, whatsit, doohickey
- Examples: "Pass me that… what-d'you-call-it… the thing for opening bottles."
10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:
Regional variations might affect the pronunciation of "d'you," with some speakers pronouncing it closer to /dɪ juː/. This would not significantly alter the syllable division.
11. Phonological Comparison:
- "baseball": ba-se-ball. Similar V-C pattern in each syllable.
- "waterfall": wa-ter-fall. Similar V-C pattern, but with a longer word and more syllables.
- "hotdog": hot-dog. Similar V-C pattern, demonstrating the consistent application of the rule.
The key difference is the contracted form "d'you" in "what-d'you-call-it," which introduces a unique pronunciation and requires consideration of elision and assimilation.
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