Describe some of the minor processes of word formation in english and their contribution to the enrichment of the english word-store.
Answers
Word formation is the creation of a new word. There are different types of word formation like derivations, affixations, neologisms, compoundings, blendings, back formations and abbreviations.
Clipping - In this a part of the word is clipped off from the rest of it. The meaning of the shortened word remains the same. For example, the clipping 'burger' is created by clipping off the first part of the word hamburger.
There are four types of clipping. They are:
i. Back clipping - For example, doc (doctor), gym (gymnasium)
ii. Fore-clipping - For example, net (internet), bot (robot)
iii. Middle clipping - For example, fridge (refrigerator), jams (pyjamas)
iv. Complex clipping - For example, cablegram (cable telegram), op art (optical art)
Blending - A word is created by combining parts of two or more separate words. For example, smoke and fog - smog, gasoline and alcohol - gasohol.
There are three types of blending. They are:
i. Phonemic overlap
ii. Clipping
iii. Phonemic overlap and clipping
Abbreviation - It is a shortened phrase. For example, ATM - Automated Teller Machine, BBC - British Broadcasting Corporation.
They can be classified as:
i. Letter-based
ii. Syllable-based
iii. Hybrid
Back-formation - It is the process of creating a new lexeme by removing actual or supposed affixes. It is different from clipping. It can change the meaning or the part of speech while clipping is just shortening a longer. Televis from television, housekeep from housekeeper, aggress from aggression are some examples of back-formation.
New words are helpful and important for people in common usage. They make their lives better and easier. They enrich the vocabulary of the people.