Many native speakers of the English language come to a point at which they are not sure how to form a word composed out of a verb and a suffix. They struggle when it comes to putting the stress correctly or deciding whether a vowel stays the same or whether it is shortened or lengthened.
This term paper deals with Latin suffixes attached to Latin-based words and the phonological changes that go along with them.
For this matter, the historical background of phonological changes will be given. This also includes how Latin suffixes found their way into the English language. In addition, a distinction between different kinds, i.e. different origins, of vocabulary will be given. When talking about stress and its movement as well as suffixes that cause them, lexical strata cannot be left out of consideration. Therefore, I will give an overview over how strata work and what has to be paid attention to when using them.
The model of lexical strata is of great importance when the theory of Latin suffixes is focused on. The various aspects of lexical strata will be explained. Resulting from that, this paper will deal with where the differences between neutral and non-neutral suffixes lie and how they can be distinguished and categorized.
Furthermore and as the main point of this paper, Latin suffixes will be focused on. This includes how suffixes affect the verb they are attached to and which suffix is attached to which form of the verb. Is there a rule for this all or is it rather arbitrary? Do all the verbs and their suffixes have to be stored in the mental lexicon? Do people who know the Latin language have an “advantage” over those learning the suffixes by heart? Why is it that native speakers struggle and, more often than not, choose the “easiest” way to form words composed out of a verb and a Latin suffix?
These are questions that this paper will attempt to answer and clarify. The paper will also try to set a new approach to explaining a regularity and constancy in forming adjectives that derive from Latin verbs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Historical background
- Stress movement
- Lexical strata
- Stratum ordering
- Neutral lexical strata
- Non-neutral lexical strata
- Latin suffixes
- Distinction between -able and -ible
- Neutral Latin adjectives
- Non-neutral Latin adjectives
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper aims to investigate the phonological changes associated with the addition of Latin suffixes to Latin-based words in English. It explores the historical context of these changes, focusing on stress movement and vowel shifts. The paper also examines the role of lexical strata in understanding these processes.
- Phonological changes in English adjectives with Latin suffixes.
- The historical development of Latin suffixes in English.
- The influence of lexical strata on stress placement and vowel reduction.
- The distinction between neutral and non-neutral Latin suffixes.
- The challenges faced by native English speakers in forming words with Latin suffixes.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the paper by highlighting the difficulties native English speakers encounter when forming words using Latin suffixes, focusing on stress placement and vowel changes. It introduces the paper's central theme: exploring the phonological changes that accompany the addition of Latin suffixes to Latin-based words in English. The chapter lays out the paper's structure, promising to discuss the historical background of these changes, the concept of lexical strata, and a detailed analysis of Latin suffixes themselves, ultimately aiming to provide a clearer understanding of the rules governing the formation of these adjectives.
Historical background: This chapter delves into the historical linguistic changes that influenced the incorporation of Latin suffixes into English. It emphasizes two crucial developments: the vowel shifts starting in the early 13th century and the stress movement associated with the introduction of these suffixes. It explores the linguistic impact of the Norman Conquest, explaining how despite the lack of complete language adoption, English borrowed elements from French and subsequently Latin, leading to the mingling of "native" and "borrowed" vocabulary in English. The chapter highlights the coexistence of bilingual speakers (English and Latin) and the process of anglicization, where borrowed Latin elements were adapted to fit the English sound and inflectional system, resulting in the hybrid words commonly used today.
Stress movement: This chapter focuses on the impact of Latin and Greek-based suffixes (and French loanwords) on stress placement in English words. It contrasts the Germanic system, where prefixes didn't influence stress, with the impact of these Romanic-origin suffixes. It introduces the concept of "strong" or "non-neutral" affixes, which are capable of shifting the stress of a word, modifying or changing its vowels, or both. The chapter directly leads into the next section on lexical strata, which provides a framework for understanding the patterns observed in stress shifts. The limited number (around 30 out of 200) of strong suffixes highlights the complexity and irregularity of this phonological process in English.
Lexical strata: This chapter explores the model of lexical strata, a crucial element in understanding the application of Latin suffixes. The chapter provides an overview of how lexical strata function and their importance in understanding and categorizing the varying effects of suffixes. It discusses the difference between neutral and non-neutral suffixes, explaining how these distinctions relate to their origins and influence on stress and vowel changes. The intricacies of stratum ordering and the behaviours of both neutral and non-neutral lexical strata are explained, providing a crucial theoretical underpinning for the following chapter on Latin suffixes themselves.
Keywords
Latin suffixes, phonological changes, English adjectives, stress movement, lexical strata, neutral suffixes, non-neutral suffixes, historical linguistics, vocabulary, anglicization.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview focuses on the phonological changes in English words resulting from the addition of Latin suffixes. It explores the historical context, the role of lexical strata, and the distinctions between neutral and non-neutral suffixes.
What are the key themes explored in this preview?
The key themes include the historical development of Latin suffixes in English, the influence of lexical strata on stress placement and vowel reduction, the distinction between neutral and non-neutral Latin suffixes, and the challenges faced by native English speakers in forming words with these suffixes. The impact of stress movement and vowel shifts are also central themes.
What is the historical background discussed?
The historical background covers the vowel shifts starting in the early 13th century and the stress movement associated with the introduction of Latin suffixes. It explores the linguistic impact of the Norman Conquest and the subsequent borrowing of Latin elements into English, leading to the coexistence of "native" and "borrowed" vocabulary and the process of anglicization.
What is the significance of stress movement?
The preview highlights the impact of Latin and Greek-based suffixes (and French loanwords) on stress placement in English words. It contrasts the Germanic system with the influence of these Romanic-origin suffixes and introduces the concept of "strong" or "non-neutral" affixes capable of shifting word stress and modifying vowels. The limited number of these strong suffixes emphasizes the complexity of this phonological process.
What is the role of lexical strata?
Lexical strata provide a framework for understanding the varying effects of suffixes. The preview explains the difference between neutral and non-neutral suffixes, their origins, and their influence on stress and vowel changes. The intricacies of stratum ordering and the behavior of both neutral and non-neutral strata are explained.
What are the chapter summaries?
The preview provides summaries for the Introduction (setting the stage and outlining the paper's structure), Historical Background (detailing linguistic changes influencing Latin suffix incorporation), Stress Movement (focusing on the impact of suffixes on stress placement), and Lexical Strata (explaining the model of lexical strata and its relevance to suffix application).
What are the objectives of this paper?
The paper aims to investigate the phonological changes associated with adding Latin suffixes to Latin-based words in English, exploring the historical context, focusing on stress movement and vowel shifts, and examining the role of lexical strata in understanding these processes.
What are the keywords associated with this preview?
Keywords include Latin suffixes, phonological changes, English adjectives, stress movement, lexical strata, neutral suffixes, non-neutral suffixes, historical linguistics, vocabulary, and anglicization.
What challenges do native English speakers face with Latin suffixes?
Native English speakers often encounter difficulties with stress placement and vowel changes when forming words using Latin suffixes. This preview aims to shed light on the rules governing the formation of these adjectives to address these challenges.
What is included in the table of contents?
The table of contents includes an Introduction, Historical Background (including Stress Movement), Lexical Strata, Latin suffixes (including distinctions between -able and -ible and neutral vs. non-neutral adjectives), and a Conclusion.
- Quote paper
- Benjamin Halking (Author), 2014, Latin suffixes and phonological changes in English adjectives, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1288074
