Historical word-formation caught in the present: changes in modern usage

Authors
Publication date 2013
Host editors
  • J. Fisiak
  • M. Bator
Book title Historical English word-formation and semantics
ISBN
  • 9783631634158
Series Warsaw studies in English language and literature, 15
Pages (from-to) 299-324
Publisher Frankfurt a. M.: Peter Lang
Organisations
  • Faculty of Humanities (FGw) - Amsterdam Institute for Humanities Research (AIHR) - Amsterdam Center for Language and Communication (ACLC)
Abstract This paper discusses two different directions in morphological change: from full form to suffix and from unspecified segment of a simple word to suffix or even free form. Together with the well known notion of lateral change these two opposite directions show that there is not a preferred direction in language change. In language change opposing forces appear to be at work. Most of the examples discussed here are from recent usage, which shows that historical processes can be studied in the present also.
Document type Chapter
Language English
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