English Morphology and Word-Formation: A Synchronic-Diachronic Approach
This course covers the core topics in English morphology and word-formation: definition of a morpheme, allomorphy and types of allomorphs in English, methods of research on morphology, the relation of morphology to other components of the grammar, inflectional vs derivational morphology, morphological productivity and factors affecting decline and increase in productivity, grammaticalization.
The most frequent means of word-formation in modern English will be discussed: derivation, conversion (zero affixation), and compounding (endocentric, exocentric, and copulative compounds). The less frequent means of word-formation will be covered as well: clipping, blending, back-formation, abbreviation, and reduplication. Origin, meanings, and functions of the most frequent English derivational affixes (prefixes and suffixes) will be discussed.
In the second part of the course, we will discuss the historical development of English inflexional and derivational morphemes and the general tendencies in morphological change in the language: loss of case and gender in the English noun, loss of verbal inflection and adjective endings, development of new means of word-formation, historical changes in productivity of different means of word-formation (e.g., appearance of new types of compounds), and other relevant topics.
General questions such as effects of phonological change on English morphology, differentiating compounds from phrases, borrowing and fossilisation of morphemes, historical changes in morpheme boundaries will be covered as well.
There will be practical assignments and class exercises on English morphology and word-formation. The course is preparing the students for the state examination.
- Moderator/in: Maria Flaksman