Hyphenation ofcontre-scellera

Analysis of "contre-scellera"

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "contre-scellera" is the third-person singular future tense of the verb "contre-sceller" (to counter-seal). It's a compound verb formed with a prefix and a root verb. Pronunciation involves liaison possibilities, particularly between the prefix and the verb stem.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are pronounceable as separate syllables, the division is as follows (using only the original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: contre- (from Old French contre, ultimately from Latin contra meaning "against"). Function: Indicates opposition or counteraction.
• Root: scell- (from Old French sceler, ultimately from Latin sigillare meaning "to seal"). Function: The core meaning of sealing.
• Suffix: -era (future tense marker). Function: Indicates future tense, third-person singular.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress generally falls on the last syllable of a phrase or a rhythmic group. In this case, the stress falls on the final syllable, "-ra".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kɔ̃tʁə.sɛ.lɛ.ʁa/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

• con-: /kɔ̃/ - Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant. Exception: Nasal vowel.
• tre-: /tʁə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant followed by schwa vowel. Liaison is possible here, but not obligatory.
• sel-: /sɛ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant followed by vowel.
• le-: /lə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant followed by schwa vowel.
• ra-: /ʁa/ - Open syllable. Rule: Consonant followed by vowel. This syllable receives the primary stress.

7. Edge Case Review:

The hyphenated structure of "contre-" and "scellera" presents a slight edge case. While treated as a single word for conjugation, the syllabification considers the original components. Liaison between "contre" and "scellera" is possible, but doesn't alter the syllable division.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Contre-scellera" is exclusively a verb form (future tense, third-person singular). Syllabification remains consistent regardless of its role within a sentence.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: To counter-seal; to seal against something.
• Translation: To counter-seal
• Grammatical Category: Verb (future tense, third-person singular)
• Synonyms: opposer un sceau à (to oppose a seal to)
• Antonyms: sceller (to seal)
• Examples: "Il contre-scellera le document pour le protéger." (He will counter-seal the document to protect it.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Pronunciation is relatively standard. However, some speakers might slightly reduce the schwa sounds (/ə/) in "tre" and "le", making them even more subtle. This doesn't affect the syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• comparera (will compare): /kɔ̃.pa.ʁa/ - Syllables: co-mpa-ra. Similar structure, stress on the final syllable.
• préparera (will prepare): /pʁe.pa.ʁa/ - Syllables: pré-pa-ra. Similar structure, stress on the final syllable.
• contrôlera (will control): /kɔ̃.tʁɔ.lɛ.ʁa/ - Syllables: co-ntrô-le-ra. Similar structure, stress on the final syllable.

The syllable division in all these words follows the same pattern: open syllables based on vowel sounds, with stress on the final syllable. The presence of prefixes (pré-, contre-) doesn't alter the fundamental syllabification rules.