Write short notes on the following: a. Back-formation b. Compounding
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Here are short notes on back-formation and compounding in linguistics:
a. Back-formation
Back-formation is a linguistic process in which a new word is created by removing a suffix or prefix from an existing word, effectively altering its form to generate a different grammatical category. This process often involves deriving a simpler or more basic form from a more complex one, typically transforming a noun into a verb or vice versa.
Examples:
- “Edit” from “editor”: The noun “editor” has been transformed into the verb “edit” by removing the suffix “-or.”
- “Televise” from “television”: The noun “television” leads to the verb “televise” through the removal of the suffix “-ion.”
- “Likely” from “likelihood”: Here, the adjective “likely” is formed by dropping the suffix “-hood.”
Characteristics:
- Back-formation often results in the creation of verbs from nouns, although it can work in other grammatical categories.
- This process is prevalent in English and can lead to the formation of words that may not have existed previously in the language.
b. Compounding
Compounding is a morphological process in which two or more independent words are combined to create a new word with a distinct meaning. The resulting compound word often reflects the meanings of its constituent parts, and the relationship between them can be understood in various ways.
Examples:
- “Toothbrush”: This compound combines “tooth” and “brush,” creating a word that refers to a brush used for cleaning teeth.
- “Notebook”: Formed from “note” and “book,” this compound refers to a book used for taking notes.
- “Sunflower”: This combines “sun” and “flower,” indicating a type of flower that resembles or follows the sun.
Characteristics:
- Compounds can be categorized into different types, such as:
- Closed compounds: Words that are written together without spaces (e.g., “notebook”).
- Hyphenated compounds: Words that are connected by a hyphen (e.g., “mother-in-law”).
- Open compounds: Words that are written separately but function together as a single unit (e.g., “ice cream”).
- Compounding is a productive process in many languages, allowing for the creation of new vocabulary that captures specific meanings efficiently.
Conclusion
Both back-formation and compounding are significant processes in the evolution of language, contributing to the richness and flexibility of vocabulary. They illustrate how language adapts to the needs of its speakers, allowing for the continual development of new words and expressions.