Here's how it works:
* Dividing words into syllables: Dictionaries use dots (·) or hyphens (-) to indicate where a word is divided into syllables.
* Showing stress patterns: The dictionary often uses a heavier mark (often a small accent mark) to indicate the syllable with the primary stress, and sometimes a lighter mark for secondary stress. This helps users understand which syllable should be emphasized when speaking the word.
* Improving pronunciation: Syllabication helps users to break down unfamiliar words into manageable chunks, making it easier to pronounce them correctly.
For example:
The word "dictionary" would be presented in a dictionary as: dic·tion·ary
This shows that the word has three syllables: dic, tion, and ary. The primary stress is on the second syllable ("tion").
In summary:
Syllabication in dictionaries is a valuable tool for learning and improving pronunciation. It helps users identify the syllables in a word, understand the stress patterns, and pronounce the word correctly.