Verb-Noun compounds vs. synthetic compounds in English, German and Italian

This study compares Verb-Noun compounds (V-NCs) with synthetic compounds (SCs) in three languages: English (e.g., killjoy vs. joy-killer), German (e.g., Wendehals, Spielverderber), and Italian, which exclusively displays the former construction (e.g., guastafeste). We adopt a theoretical framework grounded in naturalness to examine various features of these compound types. From a synchronic perspective, we analyze: (a) their agentive versus instrumental meanings, (b) their preference for endocentricity versus exocentricity, (c) their degrees of productivity and morphosemantic transparency, (d) the iconicity between morphosemantic and morphotactic heads, (e) their uniqueness versus ambiguity, and (f) the influence of typological properties on their formation in each language. From a diachronic perspective, we explore the genesis and development of these compound patterns, as well as the role of analogy in their formation, frequency, and productivity. Typological differences among the three languages reflect either a preference for one pattern or the coexistence of both, albeitwith varying degrees of productivity. Through the lens of analogy, we identify compound families in all three languages, demonstrating the extension of patterns and the potential to predict new formations accordingly.