Hyphenation ofsemi-perméables

Analysis of "semi-perméables"

1. Pronunciation Considerations:

The word "semi-perméables" presents challenges due to the presence of the semi-prefix, the liaison possibilities, and the final 's' which is silent in standard pronunciation but influences the preceding syllable. The 'é' sound is a close mid front vowel /e/. The 'm' sound is bilabial. The 'r' is typically uvular in French.

2. Syllable Division:

Following French syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid breaking consonant clusters unless they are complex, the division will be: se-mi-per-mé-a-bles.

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: semi- (Latin origin, meaning "half" or "partly"). Morphological function: degree modifier.
• Root: permé- (Latin permeare - to penetrate, pass through). Morphological function: core meaning of permeability.
• Suffix: -ables (French suffix, from Latin -abilis). Morphological function: forms an adjective indicating capability or possibility.

4. Stress Identification:

In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word or phrase. However, in multi-syllabic words, there's a tendency for a weaker stress on the penultimate syllable. In this case, the primary stress falls on the final syllable "-bles".

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/sə.mi.pɛʁ.me.abl(ə)/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

• se-: /sə/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No consonant cluster breaking needed.
• mi-: /mi/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds.
• per-: /pɛʁ/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The 'r' is considered part of this syllable.
• mé-: /me/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. The accent on the 'é' indicates a closed syllable, but the syllable division remains based on the vowel.
• a-: /a/ - Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds.
• bles: /bl(ə)/ - Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are generally kept together within a syllable unless they are complex. The final 's' is silent but influences the preceding vowel.

7. Edge Case Review:

The liaison possibilities with following words could affect pronunciation, but not the core syllabification. The silent 's' at the end is a common feature of French and doesn't alter the syllable division rules.

8. Grammatical Role:

"Semi-perméables" functions as an adjective. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical function.

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Allowing passage of substances to some extent but not freely; partially permeable.
• Translation: Semi-permeable
• Grammatical Category: Adjective
• Synonyms: partiellement perméable, filtrant
• Antonyms: imperméable (impermeable)
• Examples:
  • "Les membranes cellulaires sont semi-perméables." (Cell membranes are semi-permeable.)
  • "Les matériaux semi-perméables permettent une certaine ventilation." (Semi-permeable materials allow some ventilation.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in the pronunciation of the 'r' (e.g., alveolar trill in some southern regions) do not affect the syllabification.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• formidable: for-mi-da-ble - Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
• impossible: im-po-ssi-ble - Similar syllable structure, stress on the final syllable.
• indéfinissable: in-dé-fi-nis-sa-ble - More complex, but still follows the rule of stress on the final syllable and vowel-centered syllables. The presence of multiple suffixes doesn't change the core syllabification principles.