Hyphenation ofcontre-empreinte

Analysis of "contre-empreinte"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "contre-empreinte" is a compound noun in French. It's pronounced approximately as /kɔ̃tʁ‿ɑ̃pʁɛ̃t/ (though the nasal vowels and liaison can vary slightly). The liaison between "contre" and "empreinte" is common and expected.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize open syllables and avoid consonant clusters at syllable boundaries where possible, the division will be as follows.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: contre- (Latin contra - against, opposing). Function: Prefix indicating opposition or counteraction.
• Root: empreinte (from empreindre - to imprint, to mark). Origin: Old French enpreinte from en- + prendre (to take). Function: Noun root meaning "impression," "mark," or "footprint."
• Suffix: None. Empreinte functions as a complete noun.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. In this case, the stress falls on "-te" in "empreinte".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ̃tʁ‿ɑ̃pʁɛ̃t/

6. Edge Case Review:

The liaison between "contre" and "empreinte" is a key consideration. The /t/ sound of "contre" is pronounced because of the vowel-initial "empreinte". This liaison affects the syllabification and pronunciation.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Contre-empreinte" is primarily a noun. Its syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: A counter-impression; a negative impression; a mark left by something that has been pressed against a surface. In a figurative sense, it can refer to a lasting negative effect or memory.
• Grammatical Category: Noun (feminine)
• Translation: Counter-impression, negative impression
• Synonyms: Mauvaise impression (bad impression), souvenir douloureux (painful memory)
• Antonyms: Bonne impression (good impression), souvenir agréable (pleasant memory)
• Examples:
  • "Cette expérience a laissé une contre-empreinte sur son esprit." (This experience left a negative impression on his mind.)
  • "La contre-empreinte de la guerre est encore visible dans la région." (The negative impact of the war is still visible in the region.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• contre-attaque: /kɔ̃tʁ‿atak/ - Syllable division: con-tre-at-ta-que. Similar structure with a prefix and compound. Stress on the final syllable.
• contre-exemple: /kɔ̃tʁ‿ɛgzɛ̃pl/ - Syllable division: con-tre-ex-em-ple. Similar prefix, but different root. Stress on the final syllable.
• empreinte digitale: /ɛ̃pʁɛ̃t diʒi-tal/ - Syllable division: em-prein-te di-gi-ta-le. Shares the root "empreinte". Stress on the final syllable.

The consistent stress on the final syllable across these words demonstrates a common pattern in French. The syllabification rules prioritize open syllables, leading to similar divisions in these compound words.

10. Syllable List with IPA and Rule Explanations:

• con /kɔ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: French prefers open syllables.
• tre /tʁ/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by a vowel in the next syllable.
• em /ɑ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: Nasal vowel forms a syllable on its own.
• prein /pʁɛ̃/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by a vowel.
• te /t/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Final syllable, often stressed.

11. Division Rules Applied:

• Open Syllable Preference: French favors open syllables (ending in a vowel) over closed syllables (ending in a consonant).
• Consonant Cluster Resolution: Consonant clusters are broken up to create syllables, prioritizing vowel-consonant-vowel sequences.
• Liaison Consideration: Liaison between words affects the pronunciation and syllabification.
• Final Syllable Stress: Stress typically falls on the final syllable.

12. Special Considerations:

The liaison between "contre" and "empreinte" is crucial. Without it, the syllabification would be different. The nasal vowels also require careful consideration as they can form syllables on their own.

13. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is /kɔ̃tʁ‿ɑ̃pʁɛ̃t/, some regional variations might exist in the nasal vowel pronunciation or the degree of liaison. However, these variations would not significantly alter the syllabification.