Deny A. Kwary http://www.kwary.net Airlanga University Word Formation Deny A. Kwary http://www.kwary.net Airlanga University
Types of Word Formation Compounding Conversion Clipping Blends Backformation Acronyms Onomatopoeia Eponyms
1. Compounding Definition: Two or more words joined together to form a new word. Examples: Home + work homework Pick + pocket pickpocket
Coconut oil oil made from coconuts. Note: The meaning of a compound is not always the sum of the meanings of its parts. Coconut oil oil made from coconuts. Olive oil oil made from olives. Baby oil cathouse blue-movies blue-chip oil for babies NOT oil made from babies a house where men visit prostitutes
2. Conversion Definition: Assigning an already existing word to a new syntactic category. Examples: butter (N) to butter the bread permit (V) an entry permit empty (A) to empty the litter-bin
3. Clipping Definition: Shortening a polysyllabic word by deleting one or more syllables Examples: Facsimile fax Hamburger burger Gasoline Advertisement Omnibus
4. Blends Definition: Similar to compounds, but parts of the words are deleted. Examples: Motor + hotel Motel Breakfast + lunch Brunch Wireless + Fidelity Wi-Fi
5. Back-formations Definition: Creative reduction due to incorrect morphological analysis. Examples: editor (1649) edit (1791) television (1907) televise (1927)
6. Acronyms Definition: Words derived from the initials of several words Examples: severe acute respiratory syndrome SARS Self-contained underwater breathing apparatus SCUBA
Other examples of Acronyms: Radar FYI TGIF a.k.a Html www SWOT Radio detecting and ranging For Your Information Thanks God It’s Friday also known as Hypertext mark-up language World wide web Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
7. Onomatopoeia Definition: Words created to sound like the thing that they name. English Japanese Tagalog Indonesian Cock-a-doo Kokekokko Kuk-kakauk Kukuruyuk Meow Nya Niyaw Meong
8. Eponyms Definition: Words derived from proper names or things. Examples: Kodak Sandwich Celcius
Complete the process and Identify the type of word formation: 1. Return on Investment 2. information, entertainment 3. modulator, demodulator 4. love, seat 5. International, police 6. A comb 7. delicatessen 8. Capt. Charles Cunningham Boycott ROI Infotainment Modem Loveseat Interpol To comb Deli Boycott acronym blends compounding conversion clipping eponym