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Hyphenation ofmeerlingzwangerschap

Syllable Division & Pronunciation

Syllable Division:

meer-ling-zwan-ger-schap

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

/ˈmeːrlɪŋ.zwaːŋər.ʃɑp/

Stress Pattern:(which syllables are emphasized when speaking)

00001

Primary stress falls on the final syllable '-schap'. Dutch generally stresses the penultimate syllable in compound words, but in this case, the suffix 'schap' attracts the stress.

Detailed Syllable Breakdown

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

meer/meːr/

Open syllable with a long vowel. Onset: /m/, Coda: /r/.

ling/lɪŋ/

Closed syllable. Onset: /l/, Coda: /ŋ/.

zwan/zwaːn/

Open syllable with a long vowel. Onset: /z/, Coda: /n/.

ger/ɡər/

Open syllable. Onset: /ɡ/, Coda: /r/.

schap/ʃɑp/

Closed syllable, stressed. Onset: /ʃ/, Coda: /p/.

Morphemic Breakdown

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

(prefix)
+
meer(root)
+
ling-schap(suffix)

Prefix:

None

Root: meer

Old Dutch *mære* - multiple, more

Suffix: ling-schap

ling: Middle Dutch *linge* - denoting association; schap: Middle Dutch *scap* - state, condition

Meanings & Definitions
noun(grammatical role in sentences)

A pregnancy involving more than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.).

Translation: Multiple pregnancy

Examples:

"De arts bevestigde de meerlingzwangerschap."

"Ze kregen een meerlingzwangerschap met drieling."

Similar Words Comparison

Words with similar syllable patterns or pronunciation features

voetbalwedstrijdvoe-tbal-wed-strijd

Complex compound noun with multiple syllables and consonant clusters.

arbeidsongeschiktheidar-beids-on-ge-schikt-heid

Long compound noun demonstrating Dutch's ability to form lengthy words.

levensverzekeringle-vens-ver-ze-ke-ring

Another compound noun with a similar syllabic structure and stress pattern.

Syllable Division Rules

The linguistic principles used to determine where syllables begin and end

Onset Maximization

Consonant clusters are maintained as onsets whenever possible, such as in 'ling' and 'schap'.

Vowel Breakup

Syllables are generally formed around vowels, creating open syllables (CV) where possible.

Compound Word Syllabification

Each morpheme within a compound word tends to retain its original syllabic structure.

Special Considerations

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

The 'ng' sound can sometimes be simplified in colloquial speech, but the standard pronunciation retains it.

Vowel length in 'meer' is crucial for distinguishing it from other words.

Analysis Summary

Summary:

The word 'meerlingzwangerschap' is a Dutch compound noun meaning 'multiple pregnancy'. It is divided into five syllables: meer-ling-zwan-ger-schap, with primary stress on the final syllable '-schap'. The syllabification follows Dutch rules of onset maximization and vowel breakup, maintaining morphemic boundaries within the compound structure.

Detailed Analysis:

Linguistic Analysis of "meerlingzwangerschap" (Dutch)

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "meerlingzwangerschap" refers to a multiple pregnancy. Its pronunciation involves a complex sequence of sounds, typical of Dutch compound words. It's crucial to consider the vowel qualities and consonant clusters.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, which generally favor open syllables (CV structure) whenever possible, and respecting consonant clusters, the division is as follows (detailed in the JSON output).

3. Morphemic Analysis:

  • meer-: Root, originating from Old Dutch mære, meaning "multiple" or "more". Function: Indicates plurality.
  • -ling: Suffix, originating from Middle Dutch linge, denoting a person or thing associated with the root. Function: Forms a noun indicating a group.
  • -zwan-: Root, originating from Old Dutch swanga, meaning "pregnancy".
  • -ger-: Infix, originating from Germanic roots, forming a verbal noun.
  • -schap: Suffix, originating from Middle Dutch scap, denoting a state, condition, or abstract concept. Function: Noun-forming suffix.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the penultimate syllable: -schap.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˈmeːrlɪŋ.zwaːŋər.ʃɑp/

6. Edge Case Review:

Dutch allows for some flexibility in pronouncing consonant clusters, but the standard pronunciation maintains the clusters in this word. The 'ng' sound is a common feature of Dutch and requires careful transcription.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word functions solely as a noun. Syllabification and stress remain consistent regardless of its grammatical context within a sentence.

8. Definition & Semantics:

  • Definition: A pregnancy involving more than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.).
  • Grammatical Category: Noun (de zwangerschap - the pregnancy)
  • Translation: Multiple pregnancy
  • Synonyms: meervoudige zwangerschap
  • Antonyms: eenlingzwangerschap (single pregnancy)
  • Examples:
    • "De arts bevestigde de meerlingzwangerschap." (The doctor confirmed the multiple pregnancy.)
    • "Ze kregen een meerlingzwangerschap met drieling." (They had a multiple pregnancy with triplets.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

  • voetbalwedstrijd: voe-tbal-wed-strijd - Similar complex structure with multiple syllables and consonant clusters. Stress on the penultimate syllable.
  • arbeidsongeschiktheid: ar-beids-on-ge-schikt-heid - Long compound noun, stress on the antepenultimate syllable. Demonstrates Dutch's tendency to form long words.
  • levensverzekering: le-vens-ver-ze-ke-ring - Another compound noun, stress on the antepenultimate syllable. Illustrates the consistent application of stress rules in Dutch.

10. Division Rules:

  • Onset Maximization: Consonant clusters are maintained as onsets whenever possible.
  • Vowel Breakup: Syllables are generally formed around vowels, creating open syllables (CV).
  • Compound Word Syllabification: Each morpheme within a compound word tends to retain its original syllabic structure.

11. Special Considerations:

The 'ng' sound can sometimes be simplified in colloquial speech, but the standard pronunciation retains it. The vowel length in 'meer' is important for distinguishing it from other words.

Analysis generated by gemma3:27b on 6/9/2025

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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.