Hyphenation ofqueues-de-cheval

Analysis of "queues-de-cheval"

1. Pronunciation:

The word "queues-de-cheval" (literally "tails of horse") refers to a hairstyle resembling a horse's tail. It's pronounced roughly as /kø.də.ʃə.val/ in standard French. The 's' in "queues" is silent.

2. Syllable Division:

The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and respecting vowel clusters, is: que-ues-de-che-val.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• queues: Noun, plural of "queue" (tail). From Old French "cue," ultimately from Latin "cauda" (tail). Morphological function: denotes the 'tails' aspect of the hairstyle.
• de: Preposition. From Latin "de" (of, from). Morphological function: indicates possession or relation ("of").
• cheval: Noun, meaning "horse." From Old French "cheval," ultimately from Latin "caballus" (horse). Morphological function: specifies the animal whose tail the hairstyle resembles.

4. Stress Identification:

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

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/kø.də.ʃə.val/

6. Edge Case Review:

The silent 's' in "queues" is a common feature of French orthography and pronunciation. The liaison (linking) between "de" and "cheval" is possible in fluent speech, but not obligatory.

7. Grammatical Role:

"Queues-de-cheval" functions as a compound noun. The syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: A hairstyle in which the hair is gathered and secured at the back of the head, hanging down like a horse's tail.
• Grammatical Category: Noun (feminine)
• Translation: Ponytail
• Synonyms: Natte (braid, sometimes used loosely), chignon (though a chignon is typically more elaborate)
• Antonyms: Cheveux lâchés (loose hair), coupe courte (short haircut)
• Examples:
  • "Elle portait une queue-de-cheval haute." (She was wearing a high ponytail.)
  • "J'ai fait une queue-de-cheval pour faire du sport." (I put my hair in a ponytail to do sports.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• table: ta-ble /tabl/ - Similar syllable structure (CVC-CVC). Stress on the last syllable.
• fenêtre: fe-nê-tre /fə.nɛtʁ/ - Three syllables, vowel clusters. Stress on the last syllable.
• voiture: voi-ture /vwa.tyʁ/ - Two syllables, vowel clusters. Stress on the last syllable.

The consistent stress on the final syllable is a key characteristic of French phonology. The presence of vowel clusters and silent letters differentiates these words, but the basic syllable division principles remain the same.

Division Rules Applied:

• Onset Maximization: Attempting to create syllables with maximal onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable).
• Vowel Nucleus: Each syllable must contain a vowel nucleus.
• Consonant Cluster Resolution: Consonant clusters are broken up according to permissible French syllable structures.