Hyphenation ofsemi-automatique

Analysis of "semi-automatique"

1. Pronunciation: The word "semi-automatique" is pronounced /semi.ɔ.tɔ.matik/ in standard French.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows (using only original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: semi- (Latin, meaning "half" or "partly"). Morphological function: degree/quantity modifier.
• Root: auto- (Greek, meaning "self"). Morphological function: indicates self-acting or self-regulating.
• Suffix: -matique (Greek via French, related to automate). Morphological function: forms an adjective relating to automation. The suffix is derived from the Greek root matikos meaning "relating to".

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the final syllable: /semi.ɔ.tɔ.ma.ˈtik/.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /semi.ɔ.tɔ.matik/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllable structure generally avoids consonant clusters at the end of syllables. However, the /tik/ cluster is permissible, especially in loanwords.

7. Grammatical Role: "Semi-automatique" functions primarily as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its use in a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Partially automatic; requiring some manual operation.
• Translation: Semi-automatic (English)
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: partiellement automatique, mi-automatique
• Antonyms: entièrement automatique, manuel
• Examples: "Une arme semi-automatique." (A semi-automatic weapon.) "Un système semi-automatique de contrôle." (A semi-automatic control system.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• Automatique: a-u-to-ma-ti-que. Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
• Démocratique: dé-mo-cra-ti-que. Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
• Bureaucratique: bu-reau-cra-ti-que. Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.

These words all share the "-atique" suffix, resulting in a consistent stress pattern and syllable division. The initial consonant clusters differ, but the core syllable structure remains comparable.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Division Rules Applied:

1. Maximize Onsets: Prioritize creating syllables with consonant-vowel (CV) structures.
2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Avoid leaving consonants without a following vowel.
3. Vowel Groupings: Diphthongs (like 'au') are treated as a single vowel sound within a syllable.

Special Considerations:

• The prefix "semi-" is consistently treated as a separate syllable.
• The final "-atique" syllable is stressed, a common pattern for adjectives ending in this suffix.
• The word follows standard French syllabification rules without significant exceptions.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the pronunciation /semi.ɔ.tɔ.matik/ is standard, some regional variations might exhibit slight differences in vowel quality or stress intensity. However, these variations generally do not affect the syllable division.