Transsegmental is a complex word that refers to something that crosses or goes beyond different linguistic segments. Its spelling is a good example of how phonetic transcription can help to understand difficult words. In IPA, the word's first syllable is pronounced /trænz/, indicating that the /s/ sound is represented by "z" after the nasal consonant /n/. The second syllable is pronounced /segˈmen.təl/, with the stress on the third syllable and the use of a schwa sound in the final syllable.
Transsegmental is an adjective that refers to anything relating to or encompassing more than one segment or unit within a system or structure. It describes phenomena that exist or occur across or beyond individual segments, often involving connections, interactions, or relationships between different parts or elements.
In linguistics, transsegmental features are those that extend beyond individual speech sounds or segments. These features are concerned with suprasegmental aspects of speech, encompassing intonation, stress, rhythm, and other aspects that are not tied to a specific segment but have an influence on the entire group of segments or the overall structure of speech. For example, the pitch pattern or the duration of a vowel sound can affect the meaning or interpretation of an entire sentence.
In phonetics, transsegmental analysis involves studying the properties that extend across multiple segments, such as the phonetic realizations of prosodic features like pitch contours or speech rhythm. By examining these transsegmental features, linguists can gain insights into the patterns and organization of speech beyond individual speech sounds.
Overall, transsegmental refers to phenomena, features, or analysis that go beyond individual segments or units, encompassing broader aspects or relationships within a system or structure.
Across any segment.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "transsegmental" is derived from two components: "trans-" and "segmental".
1. "Trans-" is a prefix derived from Latin, meaning "across" or "beyond". It is commonly used in English to indicate movement or direction across or beyond a particular entity or category.
2. "Segmental" is an adjective form of the word "segment". In linguistics, the term "segment" refers to the individual sounds or units of speech in a language. These units are typically analyzed as discrete and separate entities, such as consonants or vowels.
When combining the two components, "transsegmental" refers to something that goes beyond or across the individual segments or units of speech in a language. In linguistics, it is often used to describe features or phenomena that occur on a level higher than individual segments, such as intonation, stress, or rhythm.