Seminar 5: Word formation means

Learn the basic definitions and principal concepts for the dictation or oral questioning

Word-Formation is the system of derivative types of words and the process of creating new words from the material available in the language after certain structural and semantic formulas and patterns.

Affixation is the productive process of forming a new word by adding a derivational affix to the root stem of a word.

Conversion is a productive way of coining a new word by changing the paradigm and distribution of the original word without transforming its morphemic shape.

Composition (compounding) is the way of wordbuilding when a word is formed by joining two or more stems to form one word.

Shortening is a comparatively new and highly productive way of word-building esp. in American English. It consists in substituting a part for a whole and can be achieved through the processes of clipping, abbreviation and blending.

Clipping is the reduction of a word to one or several syllables as a result of which the new form acquires some linguistic value of its own.

Abbreviation is the process and the result of forming a word out of the initial elements of a word-combination.

Blending designates the method of merging parts of words into one new word.

Be ready to answer the following questions:

1. Give the definition of the word-formation.

is the system of derivative types of words and the process of creating new words from the material available in the language after certain structural and semantic formulas and patterns.

2. Affixation:

1. What do we mean by affixation? What does affixation result in?

Is the productive process of forming new words by adding a affix to the root stem of a word. Affixation results in the formation of a depraved of compound word depending of a character of a stem. (object – objections).

2. What types of stems can affixes be added to?

Can be added to the following type of stems:

1. Root stems (unkind of hopeful)

2. Derived stems (childishly)

3. Compound stem (nightmarish)

4. Compound derived (absentmindedness)

5. Abbreviated (hubby - муженёк = husband – муж)

6. Phrase stems (out-of – towner)

3. What is understood by semi-affixes?

A long side affixes proper established semi – affixes. Such affixes of the English vocabulary occurring as independent words (man, berry, like) have been very frequently used as second element of words.

(ex., gentleman, seaman, fireman)

3. Conversion:

1. How can you define the term “conversion”?

• Is a productive way of coining a new word by changing the paradigm and distribution распределение of the original word without transforming its morphemic shape.

2. What meanings can verbs (derived from nouns) have?

New forms of words--as well as new uses for old words--take some getting used to. But the truth is, if those forms and uses stick around for awhile, we do get used to them. Psychologist Steven Pinker estimates that up to a fifth of English verbs are derived from nouns--including such ancient verbs as rain, snow, and thunder along with more recent converts like oil, pressure, referee, bottle, debut, audition, highlight, diagnose, critique, email, and mastermind. "In fact," Pinker reminds us, "easy conversion of nouns to verbs has been part of English grammar for centuries; it is one of the processes that make English English"

3. What can converted nouns denote?

Nouns also be formed by means of conversion from verb. Converted nouns can denote:

1. Instant of an action ( a jump, move)

2. Process or state ( sleep)

3. Agent of the action ( a help)

4. Object a result of the action ( a find)

5. Place of the action ( a drive)

4. Composition (compounding):

1. What is composition?

• Is the way of word building when a word is formed by joining two or more stems to form one word.

2. What are the criteria for classifications of compounds?

Classification of English compounds:

1. According to the way components are joined together compounds are divided into.

   1. Neutral – which are formed by joining together 2 stems without any joining morphing (ball – point, to windowshop).

   2. Morphological compounds – are joined by a linking aliment: vowels (O or I) or the consonant (S) (astrospace, handicraft, sportsman)

   3. Syntactical – where the component are joined by means of form-word stems ( here-and-now, free-for-all, do-or die)

2. According to their structure compounds are subdivided into:

   1. Compounds words proper which consists of 2 stems (to job-hunt, train-sick)

   2. Derivational compounds where beside the stems we have affixes ( ear – minded – обладающий звуковой памятью, hydro – skimmer –судно на вoздушной подушке)

   3. Compound words consisting of 3 or more stems (cornflower-blue, eggdhell-thin, singer-songwrriter –певец, который сам пишет песни и их же исполняет)

   4. Compound – shortened words (boatel – прибрежнвй отель, tourmobile, VJ-day)

5. Shortening:

1. What is shortening?

Is a comparatively new and highly producted way of word building especially in American English. It consists in substituting a part for a whole and can be achieved through the process of clipping, abbreviation and planting.

2. What is understood by clipping?

Clipping is the reduction of word to one or several syllables as a result of which he new form acquires some linguistic value of its own.

3. What are the main types of clipping?

The generally accepted o the shortening words is based on the position of a clipping part. Accordind to whether it is initial, middle or final part of the word that is cut off wwe distinguish:

1. Initial clipping or aphaeresis (phone – telephone)

2. Medial clipping or syncope (maths from mathematics)

3. Final clipping or apocopate (coke from Coca-cola)

4. Words that have been clipped both at the beginning and at the end (fridge from refresiration)