Hyphenation ofwerkloosheidscijfers

Dutch Word Analysis: werkloosheidscijfers

1. Examination & Pronunciation:

The word "werkloosheidscijfers" (unemployment figures) is a complex compound noun in Dutch. Its pronunciation involves a series of vowel and consonant clusters typical of the language. The word is pronounced with relatively even stress across several syllables, though the final syllable receives a slight emphasis.

2. Syllable Division:

Following Dutch syllabification rules, the word is divided as follows (using only the original letters):

werk-loos-heid-s-cij-fers

3. Morphemic Analysis:

• werk (root): From Old Dutch werk, related to Germanic work. Meaning: work.
• loos (suffix): From Middle Dutch lose, meaning "without". Forms adjectives indicating a lack of something.
• heid (suffix): From Old Dutch heid, a common suffix forming abstract nouns denoting a state or condition.
• s (linking element): A genitive marker, connecting the preceding noun phrase to the following noun.
• cij (root): Short for cijfer, from Middle Dutch cifre, borrowed from Latin cifra (zero). Meaning: figure, number.
• fers (suffix): Plural marker for cijfer.

4. Stress Identification:

The primary stress falls on the second syllable: "loos". Dutch stress is generally on the penultimate syllable, but compound words can have multiple stress points. In this case, "loos" is the most prominent.

5. Phonetic Transcription:

/ˈʋɛrˌloːsɦɛit.sɛi̯fərs/

6. Edge Case Review:

Dutch syllabification generally follows the principle of maximizing onsets (consonant clusters at the beginning of a syllable). The 's' between 'heid' and 'cij' is a special case, functioning as a linking element and forming a very short syllable.

7. Grammatical Role:

The word functions solely as a noun. Syllabification remains consistent regardless of grammatical context.

8. Definition & Semantics:

• Definition: Unemployment figures; the number of people who are unemployed.
• Grammatical Category: Noun (de - neuter gender)
• Synonyms: werkloosheidsgetallen
• Antonyms: werkgelegenheidscijfers (employment figures)
• Examples:
  • "De werkloosheidscijfers zijn gestegen." (The unemployment figures have risen.)
  • "De overheid publiceerde de werkloosheidscijfers." (The government published the unemployment figures.)

9. Phonological Comparison:

• levensstandaard (living standard): le-vens-stan-daard. Similar syllable structure with compound nouns.
• arbeidsmarkt (labor market): ar-beids-markt. Similar consonant clusters and stress pattern.
• economische groei (economic growth): e-co-no-mi-sche groei. Demonstrates the typical Dutch pattern of compounding and stress.

The differences lie in the specific vowel and consonant combinations within each word, but the overall syllabic structure and stress patterns are consistent with Dutch phonology.

Division Rules:

• Onset Maximization: Consonant clusters are generally kept together at the beginning of a syllable (e.g., "werk").
• Vowel as Syllable Nucleus: Each syllable must contain a vowel.
• Compound Word Syllabification: Compound words are syllabified as if they were separate words joined together.
• Linking Elements: Short syllables can be formed by linking elements like 's'.

Special Considerations:

• The 's' between 'heid' and 'cij' is a unique case, forming a minimal syllable.
• Dutch pronunciation can vary regionally, potentially affecting vowel quality but not syllable division.