An Onomasiological Theory Of English Word-formation (studies In Functional And Structural Linguistics)

Pavol Štekauer presents an original approach to the intricate problems of English word-formation. The emphasis is on the process of coining new naming units (words). This is described by an onomasiological model, which takes as its point of departure the naming needs of a speech community, and proceeds through conceptual reflection of extra-linguistic reality and semantic analysis to the form of a new naming unit. As a result, it is the form which implements options given by semantics by means of the so-called Form-to-Meaning Assignment Principle. Word-formation is conceived of as an independent component, interrelated with the lexical component by supplying it with new naming units, and by making use of the word-formation bases of naming units stored in the Lexicon. The relation to the Syntactic component is only mediated through the Lexical component. In addition, the book presents a new approach to productivity. It is maintained that word-formation processes are as productive as syntactic processes. This radically new approach provides simple answers to a number of traditional problems of word-formation. Paul Stekauer presents an original approach to the intricate problems of English word-formation. The emphasis is on the process of coining new naming units (words). This is described by an onomasiological model, which takes as its point of departure the naming needs of a speech community, and proceeds through conceptual reflection of extralinguistic reality and semantic analysis to the form of a new naming unit. As a result, it is the form which implements options given by semantics by means of the so-called Form-to-Meaning Assignment Principle.

Word-formation is conceived of as an independent component, interrelated with the lexical component by supplying it with new naming units, and by making use of the word-formation bases of naming units stored in the Lexicon. The relation to the Syntactic component is only mediated through the Lexical component.

In addition, the book presents a new approach to productivity. It is maintained that word-formation processes are as productive as syntactic processes. This radically new approach provides simple answers to a number of traditional problems of word-formation.

Ch. 1. An Onomasiological Theory Of Word-formation. An Onomasiological Model Of English Word-formation. Examples -- Ch. 2. The Place Of The Word-formation Component. The Scope Of Word-formation. Word-formation Vs. Syntax. Modality In Word-formation? Word-formation Vs. Inflection. Word-formation Vs. Lexicon. The Onomasiological Model And Its Place. Status Of The Lexicon -- Ch. 3. Productivity. Theoretical Background. Discussion. Proposal. Calculation Of Productivity. Productivity, Frequency, Efficiency -- Ch. 4. Applications. Bracketing Paradoxes -- Are There Any? Naming Units With The Onomasiological Mark In Plural. Exocentric Compounds: Are There Any? Back-formations: Are There Any? Pavol S̆tekauer. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. This work is built on the "Referent-concept-meaning-form" scheme which is denoted here as the "onomasiological approach". The author outlines the principals of his theory, discusses the scope and place of the word-formation component in linguistics, deals with aspects of productivity, and more.