Topic 10: Lexis: Characteristics of word-formation in English. Prefixation, Suffixation and Compounding Flashcards
Which famous linguist’s work contributed to the study of word formation?
Noam Chomsky, particularly his book “Syntactic Structures” published in 1957.
What publication did Dr. Johnson create in the 15th century?
The Dictionary of the English Language.
What was the purpose of the Oxford English Dictionary, started in 1857?
To document and control the creation of new words in English.
How does the document classify words from a morphological perspective?
Words are classified as either monomorphemic (single morpheme) or polymorphemic (more than one morpheme).
What is a morpheme?
The smallest meaningful unit of grammatical analysis.
How many morphemes are in the word “unlikely”?
Three morphemes: un-, like, and -ly.
What are free morphemes?
Words that can stand alone, such as “love”.
What are bound morphemes?
Morphemes that cannot stand alone and are attached to other morphemes, such as -ness or dis-.
What are the two types of words distinguished by linguists?
Orthographic words (written with spaces) and phonological words (pronounced as a single unit).
What is the difference between lexical terms and lexemes?
Lexical terms are items listed in dictionaries as separate words, while lexemes are stored mentally as individual items.
What is the most common method of creating new words in English?
Derivation (also known as affixation).
What are infixes?
Morphemes placed within the base of a word.
Does English have a formal system of infixes?
No, infixes are commonly used in informal or colloquial language.
What is prefixation?
The process of adding a prefix to a root word.
What is a negative prefix? Give examples.
A prefix that negates the meaning of the root, such as UN-, NON-, or DIS- (e.g., unfair, non-smoker, dislike).
What is suffixation?
The process of adding a suffix to a root word.
What is the primary function of suffixes?
To change the grammatical function of the base word.
Give examples of noun suffixes.
-AGE (orphanage), -SHIP (citizenship), -ER (walker), -LET (booklet).
Give examples of adjective suffixes.
-ED (printed), -FUL (mindful), -ABLE (adorable).
What is compounding?
The process of combining two or more existing words to create new words.
The process of combining two or more existing words to create new words.
They can be hyphenated, written as one word, or as separate words (e.g., duty-free, newspaper, car park).
What are the three types of compounds based on their function?
Noun compounds, adjective compounds, and verb compounds.
Give an example of a compound noun.
“Car salesman” (a man who sells cars).
What is conversion in word formation?
The process where a word changes from one word class to another.
Give an example of a noun that converts to a verb.
“Drink” can become “to drink”.
What is blending in word formation?
The combination of two or more existing words to form a new word (e.g., brunch from breakfast and lunch).
What is clipping?
The process of shortening a word (e.g., flu from influenza).
Define acronyms.
Words formed from the initial letters of a phrase and pronounced as a new word (e.g., NATO for North Atlantic Treaty Organization).
What is initialism?
A type of acronym where the letters are pronounced individually (e.g., BBC for British Broadcasting Corporation).
What is back-formation?
The creation of a new word by removing an affix from an existing word (e.g., burglar from to burgle).
Define folk etymology.
The reinterpretation of a foreign word based on similar native words (e.g., asparagus to sparrow-grass).
What are onomatopoeic coinages?
Words formed based on sounds they represent (e.g., cuckoo, bang, boom).
What are eponyms?
Words created from a person’s name who popularized or invented an object (e.g., leotard from Jules Leotard).
What is the significance of lexical change in the English language?
It is considered the most important aspect in the development of the English language.
What is the impact of understanding word formation in language learning?
It helps learners expand vocabulary and understand grammar patterns.
How does the document suggest improving students’ creativity in language?
By making them aware of the processes of word formation.
Why is knowledge of word formation important for effective communication?
It aids in the establishment of communicative competence.
What did Jean Baptiste Girard say about words and thoughts?
“By words we learn thoughts, and by thoughts we learn life”.
How many major processes of word formation are identified in English?
Three major processes: affixation, compounding, and conversion.
What are examples of degree prefixes?
SUB- (substandard) and SUPER- (supernatural).
What is the primary function of prefixes?
To modify the meaning of the root word.
Name an example of a privative prefix.
UN- as in “untie”.
What is a pejorative prefix? Give an example.
A prefix that conveys a negative connotation, such as MIS- in “misinform”.
How do compound adjectives form?
By combining nouns, adjectives, or adverbs with participles (e.g., mouth-watering, homesick).
What are Bahuvrihi compounds?
Compounds that create a figurative meaning from different words (e.g., lowlife, redhead).
Define amalgamated compounds.
Words that are so well combined that they are not recognized as compounds (e.g., bonfire).
Define reduplications in compounding.
Formed by elements that are identical or slightly different (e.g., fifty-fifty, riff-raff).
Can conversion involve moving from an adjective to a verb?
Yes, for instance, “dirty” can serve as a verb in “the boy’s T-shirt was dirtied”.
What does the document suggest about the complexity of English?
English is seen as a concise yet complex language due to its variety of meanings.
What is the significance of studying lexis in linguistics?
It provides insight into vocabulary and word formation processes.
What is the function of adverb suffixes? Provide examples.
To form adverbs, such as -LY in “slipperily” and -WISE in “likewise”.
What is a common feature of compound nouns?
The first noun typically qualifies the second noun (e.g., winter sports).
How are compound verbs formed? Give an example.
By combining nouns and verbs or two verbs (e.g., baby-sit, pickpocket).
What example illustrates the use of an adjective compound?
“Hard-working person” or “well-read”.
What is the role of the first noun in a compound noun?
It usually qualifies the second noun.
How does the document describe the richness of English vocabulary?
As a significant feature that sets English apart from other languages.
What is the role of linguistics in the study of word formation?
It helps in understanding the structures and processes involved in creating new words.
What challenges may arise from the flexibility of English vocabulary?
It can create difficulties for non-native speakers due to the variety of meanings.
How does the document characterize the teaching implications of word formation?
It suggests that awareness of word formation can enhance vocabulary acquisition.
What is the main goal of understanding the processes of word formation according to the document?
To facilitate effective communication and increase communicative competence.
What types of minor processes are mentioned in the document?
Blending, clipping, acronyms, initialism, back formation, folk etymology, onomatopoeic expressions, and eponyms.
What does the term “phonological conventions” refer to?
The correlation between sounds and their written forms in onomatopoeic expressions.
How does the document suggest that students can become more motivated in language learning?
By understanding word formation processes, leading to quicker vocabulary acquisition.
What is an example of a back-formation process?
The creation of “resurrect” from “resurrection”.
What does the term “lexical item” refer to?
An item that is stored as an individual term in a speaker’s mental lexicon.
What kind of prefixes are used to denote size or degree?
SUB- and SUPER-.
How are acronyms different from initialisms?
Acronyms are pronounced as words (e.g., NATO), while initialisms are pronounced letter by letter (e.g., BBC).
What does the document suggest about the importance of creativity in language use?
Enhancing creativity in language can lead to the quicker learning of vocabulary.
What is the impact of lexical terms on the learning of English?
They help learners recognize and utilize distinct words in communication.
How does the document define the term “word”?
A combination of smaller units known as morphemes.
What is the lexical item for the verb form of “to write”?
WRITE, which includes variations like writes, writing, and written.
Why is the study of word formation considered important in linguistics?
It reveals how language evolves and diversifies over time.
What does the document say about the relationship between words and meanings?
A rich vocabulary allows for multiple expressions of similar meanings.
How can teachers leverage the knowledge of word formation in their classes?
By integrating word formation exercises to enhance vocabulary and grammatical understanding.
What is an example of a folk etymology?
The transformation of “asparagus” into “sparrow-grass”.
How does compounding differ from derivation?
Compounding combines whole words, while derivation adds affixes to a root.
What is the significance of productive prefixes?
They indicate a pattern of word formation and can affect meaning without altering word class.
What are some examples of acronyms in everyday language?
NATO, NASA, and ASAP.
How does the document characterize the complexity of English grammar?
It is complex but also concise, which can create challenges for learners.
What is the role of teaching implications in the study of word formation?
They guide educators on how to effectively teach vocabulary acquisition.
What can students learn about language from studying word formation?
They can recognize patterns and increase their vocabulary through understanding word creation.
What is the relationship between word formation and communicative competence?
Understanding word formation enhances the ability to communicate effectively.
How do suffixes mainly function in word formation?
By changing the grammatical function of the base word rather than its meaning.
Give an example of a reduplication.
“Hodgepodge” or “ping-pong”.
What linguistic aspect is particularly emphasized in the document?
The importance of vocabulary and its formation in language learning.
How does the document describe the role of lexicographers historically?
They aimed to document and control new word creation.
What is the potential benefit of analyzing word formation for language learners?
It can simplify vocabulary acquisition and improve overall language skills.
What type of compounds involve combining an adjective and a noun?
Adjective compounds, such as “bittersweet”.
How do prefixes typically affect the meaning of the root word?
They modify or negate the meaning without changing the grammatical category.
What is the significance of the year 2002 in the document?
It marks the publication of Crystal’s “The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of the English Language”.
How does the process of blending work?
It combines parts of two words to create a new term (e.g., “smog” from smoke and fog).
What is a key takeaway regarding student motivation from the document?
Increased awareness of word formation can lead to greater interest and engagement in learning.
What is an example of a compound that involves a verb and a noun?
“Sunrise” or “headache”.
What does the term “phonological word” imply in linguistics?
It refers to a word pronounced as a single unit, irrespective of its written form.
What is an example of a common onomatopoeic word?
“Buzz” or “sizzle”.
How can understanding word formation improve grammar awareness?
By recognizing patterns in how words are formed, learners can better understand grammatical structures.
What does the document suggest about the evolution of language?
Language is constantly evolving, and new words are continually being created.
What can be inferred about the importance of vocabulary in communication?
A rich vocabulary facilitates clearer and more effective communication.
What is the overall goal of the topic discussed in the document?
To explore the characteristics and processes of word formation in English to enhance understanding and teaching of the language.
