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Hyphenation ofdésappointement

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

dé-s-ap-point-e-ment

Phonetic Transcription:(how the word sounds using IPA symbols)

/de.z‿a.pɔ̃.tə.mɑ̃/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

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Stress falls on the final syllable '-ment', which is typical for French nouns.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

Syllables are the building blocks of words - each one typically contains a vowel sound

/de/

Open syllable, vowel-initial.

s-/z/

Transition syllable, liaison with following vowel.

ap/a.pɔ̃/

Closed syllable, nasal vowel.

point/pɔ̃.tə/

Closed syllable, nasal vowel followed by schwa.

e/ə/

Open syllable, schwa.

ment/mɑ̃/

Closed syllable, nasal vowel.

Morphemic Breakdown

Morphemes are the smallest meaningful parts of words: prefixes (beginning), roots (core meaning), and suffixes (ending)

dés-(prefix)
+
appoint-(root)
+
-ement(suffix)

Prefix: dés-

Latin *dis-* meaning 'not, opposite of'; negation.

Root: appoint-

From Latin *appunctum*; core meaning of assigning or designating.

Suffix: -ement

Latin *-mentum*; nominalization.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A feeling of sadness or discouragement caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.

Translation: Disappointment

Examples:

"Il a ressenti un profond désappointement."

"Son désappointement était palpable."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

Changementchan-ge-ment

Similar structure with a prefix and suffix, following the same syllabification rules.

Engagementen-ga-ge-ment

Prefix, root, and suffix structure; stress on the final syllable.

Développementdé-ve-lop-pe-ment

Demonstrates consistent application of syllabification rules with a longer word.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel-Initial Syllable Rule

Syllables begin with vowels.

Closed Syllable Rule

A syllable ends with a consonant.

Liaison Rule

Pronunciation of a normally silent consonant at the end of a word when followed by a vowel.

Schwa Syllable Rule

Schwa vowels often form their own syllables.

Special Considerations

Important exceptions or unusual features in this word's pronunciation or structure

Nasal vowel articulation.

Liaison is a key feature of French pronunciation.

The word is consistently a noun, so there are no variations in syllabification based on grammatical function.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'désappointement' is divided into six syllables: dé-s-ap-point-e-ment. It consists of the prefix 'dés-', the root 'appoint-', and the suffix '-ement'. Stress falls on the final syllable '-ment'. Syllabification follows French rules prioritizing vowel sounds and accounting for liaison.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "désappointement" (French)

1. Pronunciation Examination:

The word "désappointement" is pronounced with a relatively complex sequence of sounds, including nasal vowels and liaison possibilities. The 's' at the end of "dés-" is pronounced due to the following vowel. The 'oi' diphthong is prominent.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are complex and unpronounceable as a unit, the word divides as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: dés- (Latin dis- meaning 'not, opposite of'). Morphological function: negation.
  • Root: appoint- (from Latin appunctum, past participle of appunctare 'to mark, to designate'). Morphological function: core meaning of assigning or designating.
  • Suffix: -ement (Latin -mentum). Morphological function: nominalization, forming a noun from a verb.

4. Stress Identification:

French generally has stress on the final syllable of a word or a phrase. In this case, the stress falls on "-ment".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/de.z‿a.pɔ̃.tə.mɑ̃/

6. Edge Case Review:

The liaison between "dés-" and "appoint-" is common and expected. The nasal vowels /ɔ̃/ and /ɑ̃/ require careful transcription.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Désappointement" is exclusively a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A feeling of sadness or discouragement caused by the non-fulfillment of one's hopes or expectations.
  • Translation: Disappointment
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine)
  • Synonyms: déception, frustration, chagrin
  • Antonyms: satisfaction, joie, contentement
  • Examples:
    • "Il a ressenti un profond désappointement." (He felt a deep disappointment.)
    • "Son désappointement était palpable." (His disappointment was palpable.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • Changement: dé-changement (de.ʃɑ̃ʒ.mɑ̃) - Similar structure with a prefix and suffix. Syllabification follows the same vowel-centric rules.
  • Engagement: en-gagement (ɑ̃.ɡaʒ.mɑ̃) - Again, prefix, root, and suffix. Stress on the final syllable.
  • Développement: dé-veloppement (de.və.lɔp.mɑ̃) - Demonstrates the consistent application of syllabification rules with a longer word.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
/de/ Open syllable, vowel-initial Vowel-initial syllables are always separate. None
s- /z/ Transition syllable, liaison with following vowel Liaison rule applies, 's' is pronounced. Liaison is optional in some contexts, but common here.
ap /a.pɔ̃/ Closed syllable, nasal vowel Consonant following a vowel creates a closed syllable. Nasal vowel requires specific articulation.
point /pɔ̃.tə/ Closed syllable, nasal vowel followed by schwa Similar to 'ap', closed by 't'. Nasal vowel articulation.
e /ə/ Open syllable, schwa Schwa is a weak vowel, often forming its own syllable. Schwa can be elided in rapid speech.
ment /mɑ̃/ Closed syllable, nasal vowel Closed by 'm'. Nasal vowel articulation.

Division Rules Applied:

  1. Vowel-Initial Syllable Rule: Syllables begin with vowels.
  2. Closed Syllable Rule: A syllable ends with a consonant.
  3. Liaison Rule: Pronunciation of a normally silent consonant at the end of a word when followed by a vowel.
  4. Schwa Syllable Rule: Schwa vowels often form their own syllables.

Special Considerations:

  • The nasal vowels /ɔ̃/ and /ɑ̃/ require specific phonetic articulation and can be challenging for non-native speakers.
  • Liaison is a key feature of French pronunciation and affects syllable boundaries.
  • The word is consistently a noun, so there are no variations in syllabification based on grammatical function.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is as transcribed, some regional variations might exist in the articulation of nasal vowels or the degree of liaison. These variations would not significantly alter the syllable division.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the process of splitting words into syllables and inserting hyphens between them to facilitate the reading of a text. It is also used to divide words when the word cannot fit on a line.

This technique is particularly helpful in fully justified texts, where it aids in creating a uniform edge along both sides of a paragraph. Hyphenation rules vary among languages and even among different publications within the same language. It's a critical component in typesetting, significantly influencing the aesthetics and readability of printed and digital media. For instance, in compound adjectives like 'long-term solution', hyphens clarify relationships between words, preventing misinterpretation. Moreover, hyphenation can alter meanings: 'recreation' differs from 're-creation'.

With the advent of digital text, hyphenation algorithms have become more sophisticated, though still imperfect, sometimes requiring manual adjustment to ensure accuracy and coherence in text layout. Understanding and correctly applying hyphenation rules is therefore not only a matter of linguistic accuracy but also a key aspect of effective visual communication.