Introduction
Several attempts have been made to analyse diminutives. This essay will provide a morphological approach. Morphology, the study of word-formation was influenced by three main sources in the past and each of these sources has contributed to the study of diminutives. Now, the three sources Bauer (1988: 5) and Schneider (2003: 29) mention are a) the philological grammar or traditional grammar , b) the structuralist schools of Linguistics or structuralism , and b) the transformational grammar or generative grammar . My analysis will be based on the approach Bauer (1988) made, and additionally on the approach Schneider (2003) made.
This essay focuses on synthetic diminutive formation in English. Questions like what are diminutives, what grammatical approaches have been made to diminutives, what are its formation processes and what is the meaning diminutives convey, are treated in the first section.
The second section deals with some grammatical aspects of English diminutives such as the status of diminutives, the inventory of diminutive suffixation, the subclasses of diminutive suffixes, the historical variation of diminutives and finally their productivity.
In the third section of this essay a close survey of four diminutive suffixes is provided. This survey tries to describe the rules and restrictions that govern diminutive formation. It is based on a pure morphological approach. The suffixes are analysed in detail, partial according to Bauer (1988) and partial according to Schneider (2003: 4.2 – 4.2.6). That means that the phonological shape of the suffix will be given and its different spellings if there are any. In addition, the history of the suffix, its formation rules for creating diminution, and finally its semantics are analysed, too.
Afterwards, the fourth section shortly enters into the peculiarity of multiple and competing diminutives in English, giving the suffixes {KIN}, {POO}, and {POP} as examples. And at the end, I will provide a conclusion of my analysis that also states why an exclusively synthetic approach to diminutives is not sufficient when one wants to get to know the whole truth about English diminutive formation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. What are diminutives?
- 1.1 Formation processes
- 2. The status of diminutives in English
- 2.1 The inventory of diminutive suffixes and its subclasses
- 2.2 Problems in historical variation and productivity
- 3. Synthetic diminutive formation
- 3.1 {IE}
- 3.2 {ETTE}
- 3.3 {LET}
- 3.4 {LING}
- 3.5 Multiple and competing diminutives
- Conclusion
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to provide a morphological analysis of diminutive formation in English, challenging the common misconception that English lacks a robust diminutive system. It examines the various approaches to analyzing diminutives, focusing on synthetic formation processes and exploring the inventory of diminutive suffixes, their historical variations, and productivity.
- Definition and characteristics of diminutives in English
- Synthetic diminutive formation processes (suffixation, prefixation, etc.)
- Inventory and subclasses of English diminutive suffixes
- Historical variation and productivity of diminutive suffixes
- Analysis of specific diminutive suffixes and their semantic and phonological properties
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section establishes the essay's focus on a morphological approach to analyzing English diminutives, referencing key linguistic sources like Bauer (1988) and Schneider (2003). It outlines the essay's structure, previewing the examination of diminutive definitions, formation processes, the grammatical status of diminutives in English, a detailed survey of four specific diminutive suffixes, a brief discussion on multiple and competing diminutives, and a concluding synthesis. The introduction emphasizes the essay’s challenge to the notion that English lacks a substantial diminutive system.
1. What are diminutives?: This chapter defines "diminutive," drawing on Schneider's work. It clarifies that diminutives denote smallness and can convey positive or negative attitudes depending on context. The chapter distinguishes between the diminutive form and meaning, and the processes of diminutive formation and diminutivisation. It highlights the additive nature of diminutive meaning ("meaning of the base word + the component(s) ['small' (attitude)]") and introduces the concept of "diminution," encompassing size, attitude, modification, gradation, intensification, and evaluation. The chapter then transitions into an explanation of diminutive formation processes.
1.1 Formation processes: This section details the processes of diminutive formation, primarily focusing on derivational suffixation as the prototypical method. It also explores other methods like prefixation (e.g., mini-cruise), reduplication (e.g., John-John), compounding (e.g., baby tree), and truncation (e.g., Mike < Michael). The section emphasizes the complexity of English diminutive formation, contrasting synthetic (morphological) formation with analytical (syntactic) formation, exemplified by the use of "little" as a diminutive. The section clearly differentiates between the various formation processes and provides clear examples of each.
2. The status of diminutives in English: This chapter addresses the prevalent view that English has few or no productive diminutives. It counters this claim by presenting arguments against the dismissal of English diminutives as mere "isolated baby forms" restricted to informal speech. The chapter sets the stage for a more comprehensive investigation into the various aspects of the English diminutive system, highlighting the existing debate and the essay's intention to provide a more nuanced perspective. It previews the discussion of the inventory of diminutive suffixes, their subclasses, historical variation, and overall productivity.
Keywords
English diminutives, morphological analysis, diminutive suffixes, synthetic formation, diminutive meaning, productivity, historical variation, word formation, morphology, semantics, phonology.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Morphological Analysis of English Diminutives
What is the main topic of this essay?
This essay provides a detailed morphological analysis of diminutive formation in English, challenging the common belief that English lacks a robust diminutive system. It examines various approaches to analyzing diminutives, focusing on synthetic formation processes and exploring the inventory of diminutive suffixes, their historical variations, and productivity.
What are the key objectives of this study?
The essay aims to define and characterize diminutives in English, analyze synthetic diminutive formation processes (suffixation, prefixation, etc.), investigate the inventory and subclasses of English diminutive suffixes, explore the historical variation and productivity of these suffixes, and analyze specific diminutive suffixes and their semantic and phonological properties.
What are the main themes explored in the essay?
The key themes include the definition and characteristics of English diminutives, the different processes of synthetic diminutive formation, a comprehensive inventory and classification of English diminutive suffixes, the historical development and productivity of these suffixes, and an in-depth analysis of specific diminutive suffixes' semantic and phonological aspects. The essay also challenges the misconception that English has a weak diminutive system.
What is covered in the introduction?
The introduction establishes the essay's focus on a morphological analysis of English diminutives, referencing relevant linguistic works. It outlines the essay's structure, previewing the examination of diminutive definitions, formation processes, the grammatical status of diminutives in English, a detailed analysis of four specific diminutive suffixes, a discussion on multiple and competing diminutives, and a concluding synthesis. It highlights the challenge to the notion that English lacks a substantial diminutive system.
What does the chapter "What are diminutives?" discuss?
This chapter defines "diminutive," clarifying that they denote smallness and can convey positive or negative attitudes. It distinguishes between diminutive form and meaning, and the processes of diminutive formation and diminutivisation. It explains the additive nature of diminutive meaning and introduces the concept of "diminution," encompassing size, attitude, modification, gradation, intensification, and evaluation. It then transitions to explaining diminutive formation processes.
What are the different diminutive formation processes discussed?
The essay details derivational suffixation as the prototypical method, but also explores prefixation (e.g., mini-cruise), reduplication (e.g., John-John), compounding (e.g., baby tree), and truncation (e.g., Mike < Michael). It emphasizes the complexity of English diminutive formation, contrasting synthetic (morphological) formation with analytical (syntactic) formation (e.g., using "little").
What is the chapter "The status of diminutives in English" about?
This chapter addresses the common view that English has few or no productive diminutives. It counters this by arguing against dismissing English diminutives as informal "baby forms." It sets the stage for a comprehensive investigation into the English diminutive system, highlighting the existing debate and aiming to provide a nuanced perspective. It previews the discussion of the inventory of diminutive suffixes, their subclasses, historical variation, and overall productivity.
What specific diminutive suffixes are analyzed?
The essay analyzes the suffixes {-ie}, {-ette}, {-let}, and {-ling}, examining their individual properties and usage.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include English diminutives, morphological analysis, diminutive suffixes, synthetic formation, diminutive meaning, productivity, historical variation, word formation, morphology, semantics, and phonology.
What is the overall conclusion of the essay?
The conclusion synthesizes the findings of the preceding chapters, offering a comprehensive overview of the English diminutive system and its complexities. (Specific details of the conclusion are not provided in the summary.)
- Quote paper
- Monika Rusek (Author), 2005, That English has no diminutives is a common myth - based on Klaus P. Schneider's book "Diminutives in English", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/77184
