The distinction between compounding and affixation has been widely discussed in the literature (Bauer, 2005; Booij, 2005; Ralli, 2010), revealing their interaction in various ways, both diachronically (e.g., the OE full vs the suffix -ful in helpful) and synchronically (e.g., the suffixoid -like in Godlike, meaning ‘resembling God in some quality’). This study aims to clarify the boundaries between affixation proper, splinters, affixoids, and compounding. It starts from the premise that both splinters and affixoids originate from composition, though splinter formation also involves shortening. Specifically, splinters are created from the blending of two source words, with at least one being shortened and potentially undergoing secretion (e.g., yoga-rific ← yoga + (ter)rific, where -rific conveys the meaning ‘embodying the qualities denoted by the first element in an excellent way’). Affixoids similarly arise from the combination of two words, but one acquires a more specific meaning than when used in a compound. For instance, in moneywise (‘as far as money is concerned’), the suffixoid -wise takes on the specific meaning of ‘as regards’. Both splinters and affixoids share the characteristic of boundedness; they require a base to which they can attach. However, while affixoids attach to words, splinters can attach to either words or word parts, the latter being analyzable as blends. This study questions the status of splinters and affixoids as forms of ‘affixation’, positing that they can be viewed as non-prototypical affixes or as transitional forms between compounding and derivation (Mattiello, 2022). What distinguishes them as affix-like elements is their semantics – the secretion process they undergo when they are analogically used to form series of words with similar meanings. By adopting a paradigmatic approach to word-formation (Štekauer, 2014), these non-prototypical forms of affixation will be analyzed. Finally, a broader view of affixation will be proposed to include cases of secreted splinters and affixoids.
From compounding to affixation: Splinterrific and affixoidwise
MATTIELLO, ELISA
In corso di stampa
Abstract
The distinction between compounding and affixation has been widely discussed in the literature (Bauer, 2005; Booij, 2005; Ralli, 2010), revealing their interaction in various ways, both diachronically (e.g., the OE full vs the suffix -ful in helpful) and synchronically (e.g., the suffixoid -like in Godlike, meaning ‘resembling God in some quality’). This study aims to clarify the boundaries between affixation proper, splinters, affixoids, and compounding. It starts from the premise that both splinters and affixoids originate from composition, though splinter formation also involves shortening. Specifically, splinters are created from the blending of two source words, with at least one being shortened and potentially undergoing secretion (e.g., yoga-rific ← yoga + (ter)rific, where -rific conveys the meaning ‘embodying the qualities denoted by the first element in an excellent way’). Affixoids similarly arise from the combination of two words, but one acquires a more specific meaning than when used in a compound. For instance, in moneywise (‘as far as money is concerned’), the suffixoid -wise takes on the specific meaning of ‘as regards’. Both splinters and affixoids share the characteristic of boundedness; they require a base to which they can attach. However, while affixoids attach to words, splinters can attach to either words or word parts, the latter being analyzable as blends. This study questions the status of splinters and affixoids as forms of ‘affixation’, positing that they can be viewed as non-prototypical affixes or as transitional forms between compounding and derivation (Mattiello, 2022). What distinguishes them as affix-like elements is their semantics – the secretion process they undergo when they are analogically used to form series of words with similar meanings. By adopting a paradigmatic approach to word-formation (Štekauer, 2014), these non-prototypical forms of affixation will be analyzed. Finally, a broader view of affixation will be proposed to include cases of secreted splinters and affixoids.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
