English Lexicology (II).ppt

English Lexicology(II) “Without grammar very little can be conveyed, without vocabulary nothing can be conveyed.” Contents 5. Word-Formation I: the Major Processes 6. Word-Formation II: the Minor Processes 7. Motivation Chapter 5 Word-Formation I: The Major Processes 5.1 General Remarks 5.2 Prefixation 5.3 Suffixation 5.4 Conversion 5.5 Compounding 5.1 General Remarks The three major processes affixation or derivation (17.5%) Prefixation suffixation conversion (10.5%) composition or compounding (27%) 5.2 Prefixation The definition of prefixation Prefixation is the formation of new words by adding prefixes to stems. Prefixes do not generally change the word-class of the stem but only modify its meaning. However, there is an insignificant number of class-changing prefixes Non-class-changing prefixes: natural-unnatural, like-dislike, fair-unfair Class-changing prefixes: force-enforce, danger-endanger, form-deform, little-belittle, war-postwar, college-intercollege 5.2 Prefixation The classification of prefixes In some reference books, prefixes (and suffixes) are classified according to their source, but this does not seem to help from a practical point of view. It seems more helpful to classify the most important productive prefixes by their meaning into the following ten categories: 5.2 Prefixation 1) Negative prefixes 5.2 Prefixation Order Literate Symmetry Governmental Relevant Productive Believable Vulnerable Sane Related Aligned Mature Disorder Illiterate Asymmetry Nongovernmental Irrelevant Unproductive（徒劳的，没有结果的 ） Unbelievable Invulnerable Insane Unrelated Nonaligned Immature 5.2 Prefixation 2) Reversative or privative 5.2 Prefixation Centralize Plane Infect Zip Regulate Possess Pollute Decentralize Deplane Disinfect Unzip Deregulate Dispossess Depollute 5.2 Prefixation 3) Pejorative prefixes 5.2 Prefixation 4) Prefixes of degree or size 5.2 Prefixation Computer Critical Conscious Natural Sensitive Simple Number Statement culture M