Die Arbeit untersucht die Etymologie von derivational suffixes in der englischen Sprache auf der Grundlage eines Korpus von 70 Suffixen.
Table of Contents
I. Introduction
II. Suffixes, derivation and etymology: some definitions and examples
III. Table of derivational suffixes
IV. Interpretation and Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper explores the etymological origins and morphological development of derivational suffixes within the English language. By analyzing a curated list of 70 primary suffixes, the research examines how these elements have historically entered the language through borrowing or internal reinterpretation and how their productivity in forming new words has evolved over time.
- Etymological classification of derivational suffixes in English.
- Distinction between compounding and derivation processes.
- The impact of language contact and borrowing on suffix productivity.
- Semantic and grammatical shifts of suffixes from Old English to Modern English.
Excerpt from the Book
II. Suffixes, derivation and etymology: some definitions and examples
The most general definition of “suffix” has been given by Marchand: “A suffix is a bound morpheme which in a syntagma AB occupies the position B.” (Marchand 1969, 209.) A more concrete definition would tend to replace the “syntagma AB” by “the derived word AB” consisting of the lexical root or stem A and the suffix B. But this concrete definition is not quite correct, although it is true that suffixes occur in derived words, because derivation is not necessarily combined with prefixation and suffixation. Some words are coined by affixless zero derivation, for example the word spy. It is derived from the verb to spy and although it is spelled in the same way as the verb it has changed its syntactic category (Jensen 1990, 5f.): [spy]v -> [spy]n
A second argument why the “simple definition” does not work is that we have to distinguish between derivational suffixes and grammatical suffixes. Derivation is a process whereby complex words are formed by combining a lexical root or stem with one or more than one derivational affixes (or without any affixes in the case of zero derivation). These affixes can, but do not have to, change the syntactic category of their respective heads. (Hansen et al. 1982, 88 ; Cannon 1987, 164.) For example the suffix –ion can produce a noun out of a verbal root or stem.
[generate]v -> [generat + ion]n
But the suffix –cy does not produce any grammatical changes. It forms nouns with nouns: [prophet]n -> [prophe(t) –cy]n
Summary of Chapters
I. Introduction: This chapter defines the scope of the study, highlighting the stability and change of language and the role of morphology in word formation.
II. Suffixes, derivation and etymology: some definitions and examples: This section provides essential definitions for understanding derivational versus grammatical suffixes and explores the formal distinctions between compounding and derivation.
III. Table of derivational suffixes: This chapter compiles a comprehensive list of 70 principal derivational suffixes, categorizing them by etymological origin, grammatical function, and semantic properties.
IV. Interpretation and Conclusion: This chapter analyzes the gathered data to draw conclusions about the historical trends of suffix importation and the varying degrees of productivity among native and borrowed suffixes.
Keywords
Etymology, Derivational Suffixes, Morphology, Word Formation, Language Contact, Compounding, Grammatical Category, Productivity, Lexicalisation, Old English, Morphemes, Linguistic History, Semantic Shift, Borrowing, Suffixation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The paper focuses on the etymology and history of derivational suffixes in the English language, analyzing how these elements function to create new words.
What are the central thematic areas discussed?
The core themes include the definitions of derivation and compounding, the historical influence of foreign languages on English word formation, and the productivity of suffixes.
What is the main research goal?
The goal is to draw conclusions about how patterns of word formation have changed by examining the history, semantics, and productivity of 70 common derivational suffixes.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The research uses a descriptive and diachronic approach, supported by a structured analysis of a data set of 70 suffixes derived from established linguistic dictionaries and literature.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body details the distinction between suffixes, the criteria for classifying derived words, and provides extensive data tables covering origins, centuries of first use, and semantic functions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The work is defined by keywords such as etymology, derivational suffixes, word formation, morphology, and historical linguistics.
How does the author distinguish between compounding and derivation?
The author distinguishes them based on the status of the involved elements, specifically whether they are free forms or bound morphemes, though noting that some cases require nuanced interpretation.
What is the significance of the "reinterpretation" process mentioned?
Reinterpretation describes how independent words in Old English, such as "dom" or "hood," gradually lost their independent status and transformed into productive bound suffixes in Modern English.
Why are French and Latin suffixes so prominent in English?
The prominence is attributed to the Norman Conquest in 1066, which established these as the languages of administration, religion, and the upper classes, eventually influencing the lexicon.
- Quote paper
- Thomas Gräfe (Author), 2001, The Etymology of Derivational Suffixes in the English Language, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/136734
