This seminar explores the structure of English words and the various processes that can be employed to enrich the lexicon by means of word-formation. Seminar topics will include important theoretical issues in linguistic morphology such as the differences between inflexion and derivation, the notion of productivity, the connection between word-formation and semantics and the cognitive functions and sociopragmatic values of specific word-formation patterns. Seminar work will also include practical tasks in word-building and analyzing word-structure and a critical discussion of established and newly created formations that defy a straightforward morphological analysis and firm classification.
Course book: Schmid, Hans-Jörg. 2016. English morphology and word-formation. An introduction. 3rd revised and enlarged edition. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag (ISBN: 978-3-503-17012-8). |