WORD FORMATION IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE
word formation around mid 17th century the English language merged in the present from so far as grammatical structure , spelling and pronunciation are concerned. From restoration on words the evolution of the language mainly included the part of the vocabulary and changes in the meaning of word. New words became necessary to express and explain new ideas and concept. The following mechanism can be stressed for accommodating new words. "Imitation" it is the oldest method of word making either the sound or the character is imitated to ensure the word for example - the consonant /p/, /t/, /k/ suggest quick action as in 'pinch', 'kick', where as /s/, /t/ suggest stability stock ,stand, stable, statue.
Extension:
This method has been extensively used in vocabulary building. The words were used for different purpose that would extend their meaning with the modern usage for example 'board', it's original meaning was a plant of wood. Now it is expend to a table, a group of people to sit around the people, a smooth surface for providing notice or information a wooden plan to write on, the deck of a ship.
Derivation / affixation:
This is a very ancient method to be found. A simple root word is taken and a suffix or prefix is given to it. For example: ship ( fellowship, scholarship), post( postgraduate, post colonial). conversion: It is one of the characteristic of English Language that make it possible to use the same word as noun, verbs and adjectives. For example - Park (parking/ parked)
Abbreviation / Shortening / clipping:
The contracted form of a word, by and by becomes recognize as a word replacing the full from or length of the word. For example: exam, math are used in conversation and informal writing. Their full form are examination, mathematics. Sometimes they are also used with only the first letter of words of a big phrase. For example - W.H.O (World Health Organization), V.I.P( very Important Person).
Blending:
More words are joined in which together to coin a new word. It is formed by blending. It involved the linking, blending two or more words in the process through which it creates a compound word. Similar idea of the original words. For example: Breakfast +Lunch = Brunch, Medical + care= Medicare.
Back formation:
If affixiation is done by adding as affix word formationis the reverse of it that is effecting the affect. It is the process by with a new word is created by removing an affix from the already existing word. For example : Edit = Editor, Hawk = Hawker Re duplication : Re- duplication is a word formation process in which meaning is expressed by repeating all or parting of the word. For example: Hip-Hop, Bling-bling.
Antonomasia:
A number of words enter English language which are derived from personal name, several words become metaphorical or synecdoche form a large group of ideology. For example : Utopic - Utopian , Liliput - Liliputian.
Slang Words:
Slang words gained general acceptance and became part of English vocabulary the words kept on mordifing their meaning. And got added to the vocabulary for example: Kid, Pluck, Pinch( to steal), chap( dealer).
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