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Hyphenation ofpieds-de-chèvre

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

pie-ds-chè-vre

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

/pje.də.ʃɛvʁ/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001

Stress falls on the final syllable '-chèvre' as is typical in French.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

pie/pje/

Open syllable, vowel nucleus 'e'

ds/də/

Closed syllable, liaison creates a single syllable

chè/ʃɛ/

Open syllable, vowel nucleus 'è'

vre/vʁ/

Closed syllable, vowel nucleus 'e'

Morphemic Breakdown

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

pieds(prefix)
+
de(root)
+
chèvre(suffix)

Prefix: pieds

From Old French 'pied' (foot), Latin 'pes, pedis'. Noun, plural.

Root: de

From Latin 'de' (of, from). Preposition.

Suffix: chèvre

From Old French 'chèvre' (goat), Latin 'capra'. Noun.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A climbing iron with a curved point and a strap for the foot, used for ascending rock faces.

Translation: Goat's feet

Examples:

"Il a utilisé des pieds-de-chèvre pour escalader la falaise."

Synonyms: crampon
Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

pied-à-terrepie-dà-teʁʁ

Similar syllable structure and compound formation.

porte-monnaiepɔʁt-mɔnɛ

Similar compound structure with potential for liaison.

chef-d'œuvreʃɛf-dœvʁ

Similar compound structure with elision and liaison.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Vowel Nucleus Rule

Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.

Liaison Rule

Consonants at the end of one word can link to vowels at the beginning of the next.

Consonant Cluster Rule

Consonant clusters are generally kept together unless they are complex or separated by a vowel.

Special Considerations

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

Liaison between 'pieds' and 'de' is crucial. Regional variations in pronunciation of schwa sounds may occur.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'pieds-de-chèvre' is a compound noun divided into four syllables: pie-ds-chè-vre. Stress falls on the final syllable. Syllabification follows French rules prioritizing vowel sounds and considering liaison.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "pieds-de-chèvre"

1. Pronunciation & Initial Examination:

The word "pieds-de-chèvre" (literally "goat's feet") refers to a type of climbing iron, a tool used by climbers. It's a compound noun. Pronunciation involves liaison and elision, common in French.

2. Syllable Division:

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

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • pieds: Prefix/Root - From Old French pied (foot), ultimately from Latin pes, pedis (foot). Morphological function: Noun, plural.
  • de: Preposition - From Latin de (of, from). Morphological function: Indicates possession or origin.
  • chèvre: Root - From Old French chèvre (goat), ultimately from Latin capra (goat). Morphological function: Noun.

4. Stress Identification:

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

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/pje.də.ʃɛvʁ/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

  • pie: /pje/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The 'e' is a schwa and forms the nucleus. Exception: The 'p' is followed by a semi-vowel 'j' which is considered part of the syllable.
  • ds: /də/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are generally kept together unless they are complex. The 'd' and 's' are pronounced as a single sound due to liaison. Exception: Liaison between 'pieds' and 'de' creates a single syllable.
  • chè: /ʃɛ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The 'è' is the nucleus.
  • vre: /vʁ/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The 'e' is a schwa and forms the nucleus. The 'r' is a rhotic consonant.

7. Edge Case Review:

The liaison between "pieds" and "de" is a crucial element. Without it, the syllabification would be different (pie-ds-de-chè-vre). The pronunciation of the final 'e' in "chèvre" is also important; it's typically silent but can be pronounced in certain contexts.

8. Grammatical Role:

The word functions solely as a noun. Syllabification doesn't shift based on grammatical role.

9. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A climbing iron with a curved point and a strap for the foot, used for ascending rock faces.
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine)
  • Translation: Goat's feet
  • Synonyms: crampon (though a crampon is more complex)
  • Antonyms: None directly applicable.
  • Examples: "Il a utilisé des pieds-de-chèvre pour escalader la falaise." (He used climbing irons to climb the cliff.)

10. Phonological Comparison:

  • pied-à-terre: pie-dà-teʁʁ - Similar syllable structure, with a final schwa.
  • porte-monnaie: pɔʁt-mɔnɛ - Similar compound structure, with liaison possibilities.
  • chef-d'œuvre: ʃɛf-dœvʁ - Similar compound structure, with elision and liaison.

The differences in syllable division arise from the specific consonant clusters and vowel sounds within each word. "Pieds-de-chèvre" has a more complex consonant cluster ("ds") due to liaison, while "porte-monnaie" has a nasal vowel.

11. Division Rules:

  • Vowel Nucleus Rule: Each syllable must contain a vowel sound.
  • Liaison Rule: Consonants at the end of one word can link to vowels at the beginning of the next.
  • Consonant Cluster Rule: Consonant clusters are generally kept together unless they are complex or separated by a vowel.

12. Special Considerations:

The liaison between "pieds" and "de" is a key consideration. Regional variations in pronunciation might affect the realization of the schwa sounds.

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.