Hyphenation ofgebruiksintensiteit

Linguistic Analysis of "gebruiksintensiteit" (Dutch)

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "gebruiksintensiteit" is a compound noun in Dutch, meaning "intensity of use." It's a relatively long word, and its pronunciation follows standard Dutch phonological rules. The 'g' is a voiced velar fricative /ɣ/, and 'ui' is a diphthong.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, which prioritize vowel sounds and avoid splitting diphthongs, the word breaks down as follows (using only the original letters):

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• Prefix: ge- (Dutch, formative prefix, often indicating a state or quality)
• Root: bruik- (Dutch, from bruiken 'to use', related to English 'brook' via Proto-Germanic *brukō)
• Suffix: -s- (Dutch, genitive marker, linking element)
• Suffix: -intensiteit (Dutch, from French intensité, ultimately from Latin intentitas, meaning 'intensity')

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: inten-si-teit.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ɣəˈbrœyksɪntɛnsɪˈtɛit/

6. Syllable Breakdown & Rule Application:

Here's a detailed breakdown of each syllable, with IPA transcription, rule application, and potential exceptions:

• ge- /ɣə/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.
• bruik- /brœyk/: Closed syllable. Rule: Consonant clusters are generally maintained within a syllable. Exception: The 'ui' diphthong is treated as a single vowel unit.
• -s- /s/: Open syllable. Rule: Single consonants following a vowel typically form their own syllable. No exceptions.
• in- /ɪn/: Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.
• ten- /tɛn/: Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.
• si- /si/: Open syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.
• teit /tɛit/: Closed syllable. Rule: Syllables are formed around vowel sounds. No exceptions.

7. Edge Case Review:

Dutch allows for some flexibility in compound word syllabification, but the above breakdown is the most common and phonologically justifiable. The 's' linking bruik and intensiteit is a common feature in Dutch compound nouns and is always syllabified separately.

8. Grammatical Role:

The word is primarily a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of grammatical function (as it's a single, inflexible form).

9. Definition & Semantics:

• Word: gebruiksintensiteit
• Part of Speech: Noun
• Definitions:
  • "The degree to which something is used."
  • "Intensity of use."
• Translation: Intensity of use
• Synonyms: gebruiksfrequentie (frequency of use), gebruiksgradatie (degree of use)
• Antonyms: ongebruik (disuse), inactiviteit (inactivity)
• Examples:
  • "De gebruiksintensiteit van de machine is hoog." (The intensity of use of the machine is high.)
  • "We moeten de gebruiksintensiteit van het water verminderen." (We need to reduce the intensity of use of the water.)

10. Alternative Pronunciations/Regional Variations:

Regional variations in Dutch pronunciation exist, but they generally don't affect the core syllabification. Some speakers might slightly reduce the vowel in unstressed syllables, but the syllable boundaries remain the same.

11. Phonological Comparison:

• werkloosheid (unemployment): wer-kloos-heid. Similar structure with compound suffixes.
• levensstandaard (standard of living): le-vens-stan-daard. Similar compound structure.
• computertechnologie (computer technology): com-pu-ter-tech-no-lo-gie. Demonstrates the consistent syllabification of compound words.

The differences lie in the specific vowel and consonant combinations, but the underlying principle of vowel-centered syllables and maintaining consonant clusters within syllables remains consistent.