Word Shortening

Question 1

Clipping and types of clipping

Answer 1

Clipping is a word formation process where a long word is shortened to one or two syllables without changing the meaning or word class. The most common type of clipping is BACK CLIPPING where the end is trimmed (AUTO - AUTOMOBILE); there is also FORE CLIPPING where the front is clipped (BUS - OMNIBUS); and BOTH END CLIPPING where only the middle is kept ( LIZ - ELIZABETH)

Question 2

Irregular clipping

Answer 2

Irregular clipping has resulted from the different syllabic structure of the Latin roots of the words (AUSSIE - AUSTRALIAN)

Question 3

Blending

Answer 3

Blends are hybrid words that are created from parts of two already existing words. Well known examples are brunch (breakfast + lunch) and smog (smoke + fog)

Question 4

Backformation

Answer 4

Backformation is a process that creates a new word by removing an affix from another word in a language. Typically this happens when there is a gap in the lexicon. Backformation is only noticeable when the backformed word looks unfamiliar. (BABY SITTING - BABY SIT; HOUSEKEEP - HOUSEKEEPER)

Question 5

Acronyms

Answer 5

Acronyms are words that are formed by taking the initial letter of the words in a phrase or title and reading them as a whole (NATO - NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION). Usually, they are spelt with capital letters however some words have entered the lexicon without people knowing they are acronyms (SCUBA; LASER; RADAR)
Acronyms that due to phonological reasons cannot be pronounced together, but separately are letter words (AAA; BBC)