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Hyphenation ofsous-brigadier

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

sou-sous-bri-ga-dier

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

/su.bʁi.ɡa.dje/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

The primary stress falls on the final syllable ('dier'), which is typical for French nouns.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

sou/su/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

sous/su/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

bri/bʁi/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

ga/ɡa/

Open syllable, vowel followed by consonant.

dier/dje/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster at the end.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

sous-(prefix)
+
brigadier(root)
+
(suffix)

Prefix: sous-

Old French, from Latin *sub-* meaning 'under, below'. Indicates a lower rank.

Root: brigadier

French, from Italian *brigadiere* meaning 'brigadier'. Denotes a military rank.

Suffix:

None

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A non-commissioned officer rank in the French military, ranking below a sergeant and above a corporal.

Translation: Sub-lieutenant, Sergeant

Examples:

"Le sous-brigadier a donné les ordres."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

sous-officiersou-sous-o-fi-cier

Similar structure with a prefix and a compound root.

sous-marinsou-sous-ma-rin

Prefix + root structure, similar syllable division pattern.

brigadier-chefbri-ga-dier-chef

Compound noun, stress on the final element.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

French favors syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Consonants are generally not left at the end of a syllable unless necessary.

Vowel-Based Division

Syllables are often divided around vowels.

Special Considerations

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

The hyphen in 'sous-brigadier' doesn't dictate a syllable break but influences prosodic phrasing.

The final 'ier' is a common French vowel cluster and forms a closed syllable.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'sous-brigadier' is divided into five syllables: sou-sous-bri-ga-dier. It consists of the prefix 'sous-', the root 'brigadier', and has stress on the final syllable. Syllable division follows the rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, typical of French phonology.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "sous-brigadier"

1. Pronunciation: The word "sous-brigadier" is pronounced approximately as /su.bʁi.ɡa.dje/ in standard French.

2. Syllable Division: The syllable division, adhering to the rule of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants, is as follows:

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • Prefix: sous- (Old French, from Latin sub- meaning "under, below"). Function: Indicates a lower rank or position.
  • Root: brigadier (French, from Italian brigadiere meaning "brigadier"). Function: Denotes a military rank.
  • Suffix: None. Brigadier functions as a complete root in this context.

4. Stress Identification: The primary stress falls on the final syllable: /su.bʁi.ɡa.dje/. French generally stresses the last syllable of a word or phrase.

5. Phonetic Transcription: /su.bʁi.ɡa.dje/

6. Edge Case Review: Hyphenated words in French often present challenges. The hyphen doesn't necessarily dictate a syllable break, but it influences prosodic phrasing.

7. Grammatical Role: "Sous-brigadier" is a noun, specifically a military rank. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical function within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A non-commissioned officer rank in the French military, ranking below a sergeant and above a corporal.
  • Translation: Sub-lieutenant, Sergeant (depending on context)
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine)
  • Synonyms: sergent-chef (chief sergeant), grade militaire (military rank)
  • Antonyms: officier (officer)
  • Examples: "Le sous-brigadier a donné les ordres." (The sub-lieutenant gave the orders.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "sous-officier": sou-sous-o-fi-cier. Similar structure with a prefix and a compound root. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "sous-marin": sou-sous-ma-rin. Again, prefix + root. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "brigadier-chef": bri-ga-dier-chef. Compound noun, stress on the final element.

The consistent stress on the final syllable in these words demonstrates a common pattern in French noun formation.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

Syllable IPA Transcription Description Rule Applied Exceptions/Special Cases
sou /su/ Open syllable Maximizing onsets; vowel followed by consonant None
sous /su/ Open syllable Maximizing onsets; vowel followed by consonant None
bri /bʁi/ Open syllable Maximizing onsets; vowel followed by consonant None
ga /ɡa/ Open syllable Maximizing onsets; vowel followed by consonant None
dier /dje/ Closed syllable Consonant cluster at the end of the syllable The 'ier' ending is a common French vowel cluster.

Syllable Division Rules Applied:

  1. Maximize Onsets: French favors syllables with consonant onsets whenever possible.
  2. Avoid Stranded Consonants: Consonants are generally not left at the end of a syllable unless necessary due to vowel clusters or word structure.
  3. Vowel-Based Division: Syllables are often divided around vowels.

Special Considerations:

  • The hyphen in "sous-brigadier" doesn't dictate a syllable break but influences prosodic phrasing.
  • The final 'ier' is a common French vowel cluster and forms a closed syllable.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

While the standard pronunciation is /su.bʁi.ɡa.dje/, some regional variations might exhibit slight differences in vowel quality or consonant articulation. However, the syllable division remains consistent.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/12/2025

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What is hyphenation

Hyphenation is the use of hyphens to join words or parts of words. It plays a crucial role in writing, ensuring clarity and readability.

In compound terms like 'check-in', the hyphen clarifies relationships between words. It also assists in breaking words at line ends, preserving flow and understanding, such as in 'tele-communication'. Hyphenation rules vary; some words lose their hyphens with common usage (e.g., 'email' from 'e-mail'). It's an evolving aspect of language, with guidelines differing across style manuals. Understanding hyphenation improves writing quality, making it an indispensable tool in effective communication.