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Making New Words: Morphological Derivation in English

Online ISBN:
9780191780905
Print ISBN:
9780198712367
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
Book

Making New Words: Morphological Derivation in English

R. M. W Dixon
R. M. W Dixon

Adjunct Professor and Deputy Director of the Language and Culture Centre

Adjunct Professor and Deputy Director of the Language and Culture Centre, James Cook University
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Published online:
20 November 2014
Published in print:
21 August 2014
Online ISBN:
9780191780905
Print ISBN:
9780198712367
Publisher:
Oxford University Press

Abstract

Making New Words provides a detailed study of roughly 200 prefixes and suffixes which create new words in today’s English. Alongside a systematic discussion of these forms, Professor Dixon explores and explains the hundreds of conundrums that seem to be exceptions to general rules: why do we say un-distinguished (with prefix un-) but in-distinguishable (with in-); why un-ceasing but in-cesssant? Why, alongside gold-en, do we say silver-y (not silver-en)? Why is it wood-en (not wood-ic) but metall-ic (not metall-en)? After short preliminary chapters, which outline the criteria employed, there are accounts of the derivation of negative words, of derivations which do not change word class, on making new verbs, new adjectives, new nouns, and new adverbs. The final chapter deals with combinations of suffixes, of prefixes, and of the two together. Within each chapter, derivational affixes are arranged in semantic groups and contrasted with respect to meaning and function; for example, child-less and child-free. For each affix there is an account of its genetic origin, its phonological form and implications for stress placement, the roots it can be attached to (and why), and how its range of meanings has developed. The book is clear and well-organized, with easy-to-understand explanations. The examples range from Shakespeare and W. S. Gilbert to modern novels and contemporary radio. It will be invaluable for scholars and students of the English language and of general linguistics, from undergraduate level upwards and also appeal to the general reader interested in picking to pieces the English language to see how it works.

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