As a part of this term paper I will show how the blends are classified into modified
and meaningful blends and how they are categorized, including the categorization of their
source words.
I am going to answer the question how blends are structured and what kind of rules
there are for their formation. The term paper will answer all these questions by analyzing
blends and their source words and this will show that blending is a word – formation process.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Classification of Blends
2.1 Modified Blends
2.2 Meaningful Blends
3. Categories of Blends and their source words
4. Structure of Blending
4.1 First Rule for Blending – Formation
4.2 Second Rule for Blending – Formation
4.3 Third Rule for Blending – Formation
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic paper examines the linguistic phenomenon of blending as a creative word-formation process in the English language, seeking to define its structural rules and classification methods.
- Classification of blends into modified and meaningful categories
- Structural analysis of formation rules for new lexemes
- Investigation of semantic categories of source words
- Historical and contemporary examples of blending in literature and common usage
Excerpt from the Book
4. Structure of Blending
Plag defines a rule for Blending – Formation by combining “the first part of the first element [ . . . ] with the second part of the second element”.21 This rule can be shown in the following equation:
AB + CD = AD22
(2.) motor + hotel = motel
AB CD
motor hotel
A B C D
mo- -tel ho- -tel
In example (2.) both original words are split into two parts AB and CD. These sketches establish that the beginning A = ‘mo-’ of the first source word is added to the ending D = ‘-tel’ of the second source word and as a result the new term AD = ‘motel’ is created. The following example is showing the application of the given rule:
(2.) motor + hotel = motel
A = mo; B = tor C = ho; D = tel A = mo-; D = -tel
(13.) boat + hotel = boatel
AB CD
boat hotel
A B C D
boa- -t ho- -tel
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the historical context of blending, provides academic definitions, and introduces the research objectives regarding structure and classification.
2. Classification of Blends: Distinguishes between modified blends, where one element modifies another, and meaningful blends, which retain properties of both source referents.
3. Categories of Blends and their source words: Examines the semantic consistency of source words, noting that most blends consist of nouns.
4. Structure of Blending: Details three distinct formation rules (AB+CD=AD, AB+CD=AC, and ABC+D=ADC) through morphological analysis.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, confirming that blending is a productive and creative morphological process in modern English.
Keywords
Blending, Word-formation, Lexeme, Morphology, Modified blends, Meaningful blends, Source words, Semantic category, Linguistics, Structural rules, Complex words, English language, Morphological content, Neologisms, Word creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
This paper explores the process of "blending," a method of word-formation in English that involves merging parts of two or more words to create new lexemes.
Which categories of blends are discussed?
The author classifies blends into "modified blends," where one element modifies the other, and "meaningful blends," which share properties of both original source words.
What is the central research question?
The work aims to answer how blends are structured and identify the specific rules that govern their morphological formation.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The paper uses structural analysis and logical breakdown of word segments, applying formulas to illustrate how specific parts of source words are combined.
What topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections cover the semantic categorization of source words and a detailed breakdown of three specific formation rules for blends.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include blending, word-formation, morphology, lexeme, semantic category, and structural rules.
How does the author define a "blend"?
Following Laurie Bauer, a blend is defined as a new lexeme formed from parts of two or more other words such that there is no transparent analysis into morphs.
Are there exceptions to the formation rules described?
Yes, while the author presents three main structural rules, the paper acknowledges that blends can be complex, and some examples may deviate from semantic rules, such as those mixing different parts of speech.
What is the significance of the "third rule" (ABC + D = ADC)?
The third rule describes cases where the first source word is split into three parts, with the middle part being discarded while the beginning and end are combined with the second source word.
- Quote paper
- Anonym (Author), 2013, Blending as a Type of Word-Formation in English, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/232366
