7.Conversion

Con-n is a highly productive means of phonetic and graphic identity of w-d forms belonging to dif-t parts of speech(a find-to find,a buy-to buy).The term con-n was 1st introduced by henry Sweat in 1892 in his new eng.grammar to define seeming identity of such parts as work-to work,love-to love.As steams have the part of speech m-g conversion pair are dif-t.Each having a dif-t part of speech m-g.The stem of 1 or the 2w-ds of a conversion pair is regarded as being of a derivational character that means that 1st w-d isn primary and the 2nd is its derivative.The difference between affix-n(sing-singer) and conversion(a find-to find) is that affix-n is characterized by both semantic is structural derivation while conv-n displays only semantic derivat-n.The eng.vocab-ry abounds mostly in the verbs,converted from nouns(denominal verbs) and nouns converted from verbs(deverbal nouns)(a back-to back,a fall-to fall,an eye-to eye).There’re some other cases(better-to better,up-to up)but they aren’t numerous.A very peculiar way of w|b through conv-n is the forming of solid nouns from composite w|s(a comeback-to come back).Verbs are converted also from compound nouns(weekend-to weekend). Semantic relations within a conv-n pair:As a w-d within a conv-n pair is semantically derived from other,there’re certain semantic relations between them.The folloeing semantic relations can be observed:1)denominal verbs make up the largest group and display the following seman-c relations with the nouns:a)action characteristic of the thing(a butcher-to butcher-мясник-разделять мясо).b)instrumental use of a thing(a nail-to nail-гвоздь-забивать).c)an addition of a thing(a fish-to fish).d)derivation of a thing(skin-to skin-кожа-снимать кожу).2)deverbal substances denote:a)instance of the action(a move-to move).b)agent of the action(help-to help).c)a place of the action(a walk-to walk).d)object or result of the action(a find-to find).

Dif-t conceptions of the problem of conv-n:Since the time the term “conv-n” was intrpduced conv-n has been the subject of much controversy.It treated differently in ling-c literature.Some linguists define it as a morphol-l or morph-syntactic way of forming w-ds.Others consider conv-n from a purely semantic angle.1)Смирнитский treats conv-n as a morphol-l way of w|b.The 2w-ds within a conv-n pair differ only in their paradigms.Thus it’s the paradigm that is used as a w|b means.Thus conv-n is the formation of a new w-d through the change in its paradigm is only w|b of the conv-n and as the paradigm is a morph-l category,conv-n can be described as a morph-l way of forming w-ds.Conv-n is the formation of new w-ds through the change of the paradigm.2)Some linguists define conv-n as non-affixed way of building w-ds,characterized by the format-n of a categorically dif-t new w-ds from a stem without a derivational morpheme (Черкасская,Гальчери).3)Henry Marchin in his book “the categories” and types of present day eng.w|form-n holds the view that the conv-n is the form-n of new w-ds with the help of a D-m-m.4)Жиугтенко regards conv-n as a morph-l syntactic w|b means of it involves both a change of the paradigm and all terration(изм-я) of the synt-c function of the w-d.5)Some amer.and eng.lexicographers show a functional approach to conv-n as a shiff(переход) from 1part of speech to another.

Consider that in modern eng.a w-d may function as 2 or more dif-t pats of speech at the same time.In their dictionaries they place all the converted pairs reveals that not all of them were created of the semantic pattern.Some of them appeared as a result of the disappearance of inflexions(lufu-love,answary-answer).Ling-s call such cases false conv-n because they weren’t formed by the change of paradigm but appeared as the result of the disappearance of inflexions in the course of the historic development.By real conv-n they understand non-affixal format-n of new w-ds in modern eng.Смирнитский says thet this approach in right if we treat conv-n historically and synctonically simultaneously.But if we treat syntactically there isn’t dif-ce between “work-to work”.In modern eng.many new w-ds are formed by conv-n may be regarded as the derivational source.In the noun “hand” derived from the verb “to hand” or is it the other way round.There’re 2 indisputable types of conv-n:1)form-n of verbs from nouns and more rarely from other part of speech.2)form-n of nouns from verbs and rarely from other part of speech. Pinions differ on the possibility of creating adj-s from noun-stem through conv-n and it gave rise to the so-called “stone-walled problem”.Conv-n is a very productive means of creating new w-ds in modern eng.because it corresponds to the analytic character of the eng.lang-ge.But there’re some semantic and restrictions of the possib-ty of new w-ds by conv-n.Seman-ly verbs may be grouped in 2:1)verbs denoting process that can be expressed as a succession of isolated actions from which type nouns are easily formed(a fall-to fall)-semantical.2)verbs like –to sit,to stand denote process that can’t be represented as a succession of isolated actions-structural(morph-l).The Igroup forms easily new w-ds by conv-n,the II-defies conv-n but in mod.eng.it’s very dif-t to distinguish between these 2groups(to lie-a lie).However,the exist nouns form from them which proves the revers(обратное).The morph-l restrictions are reveled in the supposition that the complexity of w|structure doesn’t fawn a conv-n(w-ds with af-s usually don’t form new w-ds by conv-n,however,we find converted w-ds of rather complex structure.a holiday-to holiday).Thus it seems possible to regard conv-n as a highly productive way of forming w-ds.There’re cases of trad-l and occasional conv-n.Trad-l conv-n refers to excepted use of w-ds which are recoded in dist-s(cap-to cap).The occasional ise of conv-n is also very frequent.Such cases aren’t recorded in diction-s but other occur in literary w-ds and indiv-l speech of people(go-to go).