Hyphenation ofdessous-de-table

Analysis of "dessous-de-table"

1. Pronunciation:

The word "dessous-de-table" is pronounced approximately as /də.su.də.tabl/ in standard French. It's a compound noun.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of using only the original letters, is: de-sous-de-ta-ble

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: de- (Latin origin, indicating 'from under', 'below'). Morphological function: prepositional element.
• Root: sous (Latin sub- meaning 'under'). Morphological function: adverb/preposition indicating position.
• Particle: de (Latin origin, linking preposition). Morphological function: connects the elements.
• Root: table (Latin tabula meaning 'table'). Morphological function: noun, the object itself.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress generally falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. However, in compound nouns like this, the stress is often distributed, with a slight emphasis on the final syllable ("-ble"). The stress pattern is relatively weak and even across the syllables.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/də.su.də.tabl/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

• de /də/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound. No consonant clusters to break the syllable.
• sous /su/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound.
• de /də/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound.
• ta /ta/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables generally end in a vowel sound.
• ble /bl/: Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters can form the coda (final part) of a syllable.

7. Edge Case Review:

The compound nature of the word presents a slight edge case. French generally avoids hiatus (vowel-vowel sequences in separate syllables) but allows them in compounds. The "de" between "sous" and "table" is a linking element and doesn't necessarily create a strong syllable boundary.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Dessous-de-table" functions primarily as a noun. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of grammatical role, as the word doesn't inflect.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: The underside of a table; a secret or clandestine activity.
• Translation: Under the table.
• Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine)
• Synonyms: dessous, face cachée (hidden side)
• Antonyms: dessus (on top of)
• Examples:
  • "Il a caché les documents sous le dessous-de-table." (He hid the documents under the table.)
  • "Les négociations se sont faites sous le dessous-de-table." (The negotiations were done secretly.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Pronunciation is fairly standard. Some regional variations might involve a slightly more pronounced vowel in "sous," but this doesn't affect syllable division.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• table: ta-ble /ta.bl/ - Similar open-closed syllable structure.
• dessous: de-sous /də.su/ - Similar open-open syllable structure.
• dessus: des-sus /də.sy/ - Similar open-open syllable structure.

The consistency in syllable division across these words demonstrates the application of the core French syllabification rules: vowel-based syllable onset and coda formation. The presence of consonant clusters in "table" and "dessous-de-table" is handled by allowing them to form the syllable coda.