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Hyphenation ofsous-multiples

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

sou-mul-ti-ples

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

/su.mυl.ti.pl(ə)/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

0001

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

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.

mul/mυl/

Closed syllable, consonant-vowel-consonant.

ti/ti/

Open syllable, consonant followed by vowel.

ples/pl(ə)/

Closed syllable, consonant cluster followed by vowel and schwa.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

sous-(prefix)
+
multiple(root)
+
-s(suffix)

Prefix: sous-

Latin 'sub-' meaning 'under, below'. Intensifier.

Root: multiple

Latin 'multiplus' meaning 'many more'. Core meaning relating to quantity.

Suffix: -s

Marks pluralization.

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A smaller multiple; a submultiple.

Translation: Submultiples

Examples:

"Les sous-multiples de cinq sont 1 et 5."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

souplessesou-ples-se

Similar structure with consonant clusters and final vowel.

complexescom-plex-es

Similar ending with a plural marker and stress pattern.

simplessim-ples

Similar structure and stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Maximize Onsets

Attempt to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.

Avoid Stranded Consonants

Avoid leaving a single consonant between syllables.

Vowel-Centric Syllabification

Each syllable must contain a vowel nucleus.

Special Considerations

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

The 'sous-' prefix is always a separate syllable.

The final '-s' is a plural marker and forms a syllable with the preceding vowel.

The schwa /ə/ is a weak vowel and can be reduced or elided in rapid speech.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The French noun 'sous-multiples' (submultiples) is divided into four syllables: sou-mul-ti-ples, with stress on the final syllable. It consists of the prefix 'sous-', the root 'multiple', and the plural suffix '-s'. Syllabification follows standard French rules.

Detailed Analysis:

Analysis of "sous-multiples"

1. Pronunciation: The word "sous-multiples" is pronounced /su.mυl.ti.pl(ə)/ 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- (Latin sub- meaning "under, below"). Function: Intensifier, indicating a lesser degree or a derivative.
  • Root: multiple (Latin multiplus meaning "many more"). Function: Core meaning relating to quantity or repetition.
  • Suffix: -s (Latin/French). Function: Marks pluralization.

4. Stress Identification: In French, stress typically falls on the last syllable of a word or a grammatical group. In this case, the stress falls on the final syllable "-ples".

5. Phonetic Transcription: /su.mυl.ti.pl(ə)/

6. Edge Case Review: French syllabification generally avoids consonant clusters at the beginning of syllables. However, the "pl" cluster in "multiples" is permissible as it's a common and established sequence. The schwa sound /ə/ at the end is often elided in rapid speech.

7. Grammatical Role: "Sous-multiples" functions primarily as a noun (plural). The syllabification remains consistent regardless of its grammatical role within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A smaller multiple; a submultiple.
  • Translation: Submultiples (English)
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (masculine plural)
  • Synonyms: sous-divisons, fractions
  • Antonyms: multiples, surmultiples
  • Examples: "Les sous-multiples de cinq sont 1 et 5." (The submultiples of five are 1 and 5.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • "souplesse" (suppleness): sou-ples-se. Similar structure with consonant clusters. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "complexes" (complexes): com-plex-es. Similar ending with a plural marker. Stress on the final syllable.
  • "simples" (simple): sim-ples. Similar structure and stress pattern.

Detailed Syllable Analysis:

  • sou /su/: Open syllable. Rule: Vowel followed by consonant. No exceptions.
  • mul /mυl/: Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant followed by vowel, then consonant. No exceptions.
  • ti /ti/: Open syllable. Rule: Vowel preceded by consonant. No exceptions.
  • ples /pl(ə)/: Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant cluster followed by vowel, then consonant. The final /ə/ is a schwa and can be elided.

Division Rules Applied:

  • Maximize Onsets: Attempt to include as many consonants as possible in the onset of a syllable.
  • Avoid Stranded Consonants: Avoid leaving a single consonant between syllables.
  • Vowel-Centric Syllabification: Each syllable must contain a vowel nucleus.

Special Considerations:

  • The "sous-" prefix is always a separate syllable.
  • The final "-s" is a plural marker and forms a syllable with the preceding vowel.
  • The schwa /ə/ is a weak vowel and can be reduced or elided in rapid speech.

Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in pronunciation might affect the realization of the schwa /ə/, but the syllable division remains consistent.

Short Analysis:

"Sous-multiples" is a French noun meaning "submultiples." It is divided into four syllables: sou-mul-ti-ples, with stress on the final syllable. The word is composed of the prefix "sous-", the root "multiple", and the suffix "-s". Syllabification follows standard French rules of maximizing onsets and avoiding stranded consonants.

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

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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.