Hyphenation ofcontraespionaje

Analysis of "contraespionaje" (Spanish)

1. Pronunciation: The word "contraespionaje" is pronounced /kontɾaespioˈnaχe/ in standard Spanish.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to Spanish orthographic rules, is crucial.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: contra- (Latin, meaning "against") - functions as an intensifier or opposition marker.
• Root: espía- (Latin spia, meaning "spy") - the core meaning of the word.
• Suffix: -aje (Latin -agium, a suffix forming nouns denoting action, result, or collection) - transforms the verb espiar (to spy) into a noun.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the antepenultimate syllable: na.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /kontɾaespioˈnaχe/

6. Edge Case Review: The combination of 'tr' and the following vowel requires careful consideration. The 'ae' diphthong is also a standard Spanish feature.

7. Grammatical Role: "Contraespionaje" functions exclusively as a noun. Syllabification does not shift based on grammatical role.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Counterespionage; the practice of spying on enemy spies.
• Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine)
• Translation: Counterespionage
• Synonyms: Contrainteligencia (counterintelligence)
• Antonyms: Espionaje (espionage)
• Examples: "El servicio de contraespionaje descubrió una red de agentes dobles." (The counterespionage service discovered a network of double agents.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• "contraataque": con-tra-a-ta-que. Similar prefix contra-. Stress on the antepenultimate syllable.
• "desesperación": des-es-pe-ra-ción. Similar suffix -ación. Stress on the antepenultimate syllable.
• "investigación": in-ves-ti-ga-ción. Similar suffix -ación. Stress on the antepenultimate syllable.
  The consistent stress pattern on the antepenultimate syllable in these words reinforces the rule application for "contraespionaje".

Detailed Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

• con-: /kon/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowels. No consonant clusters break the syllable.
• tra-: /tɾa/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowels. 'tr' is a permissible initial consonant cluster.
• es-: /es/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowels.
• pio-: /ˈpjo/ - Closed syllable. Rule: When two vowels come together, they are separated into different syllables if they form different phonetic sounds (diphthong). 'io' forms a diphthong.
• na-: /ˈna/ - Open syllable. Primary stress. Rule: Words ending in a consonant other than 'n' or 's' are stressed on the antepenultimate syllable.
• je-: /ˈxe/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowels. 'j' is a single sound in Spanish.

Exceptions/Special Cases:

• The 'j' sound /x/ is a unique feature of Spanish phonology and doesn't affect syllabification rules directly, but it's important to note in the phonetic transcription.
• The 'tr' cluster is a common initial consonant cluster in Spanish and doesn't pose a syllabification challenge.

Division Rules Applied:

1. Vowel-Centric Syllabification: Syllables are built around vowels.
2. Consonant Cluster Rule: Permissible consonant clusters (like 'tr') remain within the same syllable.
3. Diphthong Rule: Diphthongs (like 'io') are treated as a single vowel sound within a syllable.
4. Stress Rule: Words ending in consonants other than 'n' or 's' are stressed on the antepenultimate syllable.