Complex Words in English (English Language Series) - Softcover

Adams, Valerie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0582239648 ISBN 13: 9780582239647

Publisher: Routledge, 2001

Synopsis

Complex Words in English presents a comprehensive account of present-day word formation in English. Starting with a discussion of some basic issues, including the definition of 'word', motivation, lexicalization, productivity, the relevance of historical information and the usefulness of dictionaries and other data-bases, the book then moves on to describe in detail a variety of prefixing, suffixing and compounding patterns - all illustrated with copious up-to-date examples. Other topics that are explored in-depth include diminutives, backformation and other effects of reanalysis, Latin and Greek based formations and sound symbolism.

Many examples are given in context: recent writing and the records of OED on CD ROM are drawn on to demonstrate the relationship between spontaneous coinages and familiar items. The comprehensive coverage allows an instructive overview and comparison of patterns and of the many and diverse factors relevant to the notion of productivity. Throughout, the discussions are placed in the context of other recent and less recent work in the area and the book also contains a useful extensive bibliography.

About this title

About the Author

Valerie Adams is a Lecturer in the Department of English, University College London. Her previous publications include the books- An Introduction to Modern English Word Formation (1973) and with Randolph Quirk and Derek Davy, Old English Literature- A Practical Introduction (1975).

From the Back Cover

Complex Words in English presents a comprehensive account of present-day word formation in English. Starting with a discussion of some basic issues, including the definition of 'word', motivation, lexicalization, productivity, the relevance of historical information and the usefulness of dictionaries and other data-bases, the book then moves on to describe in detail a variety of prefixing, suffixing and compounding patterns - all illustrated with copious up-to-date examples. Other topics that are explored in-depth include diminutives, backformation and other effects of reanalysis, Latin and Greek based formations and sound symbolism.
Many examples are given in context: recent writing and the records of OED on CD ROM are drawn on to demonstrate the relationship between spontaneous coinages and familiar items. The comprehensive coverage allows an instructive overview and comparison of patterns and of the many and diverse factors relevant to the notion of productivity. Throughout, the discussions are placed in the context of other recent and less recent work in the area and the book also contains a useful extensive bibliography.
Valerie Adams is a Lecturer in the Department of English, University College London. Her previous publications include the books: An Introduction to Modern English Word Formation (1973) and with Randolph Quirk and Derek Davy, Old English Literature: A Practical Introduction (1975).

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0582239648
• ISBN 13: 9780582239647
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 184