英语词汇学Chapter 04.2.pptVIP

Chapter Four Word Formation (II) 4.2 other methods Chief ways: Derivation / Affixation; Compounding / Composition; Conversion; Compounding A method of word-building by combining two or more than two free words together. The new formation is called compound. Features of Compounds 1. As a lexical unit, a compound functions as a single word both semantically and grammatically. By semantic, it means a compound usually takes on a new meaning, rather than that of its components. Its meaning may be related to, but can not be simply inferred from that of its components . e.g. a greenhouse (a compound) (暖房,温室) a green house (a free phrase) (绿色的房子)； a black sheep (a compound) (败家子) restroom; blackmail； cutthroat (凶手); sunrise; classroom, etc. Grammatically, a compound usually plays a single grammatical role in a sentence. Hence, changes usually occur at the end of the word, not in the middle. e.g. flower-pots; roommates; laptops; police women; (exceptions: brothers-in-law, passersby, women-doctors, etc) 2. Written Forms of Compounds a. Solid: earthquake, sunrise, etc. b. Hyphenated: wedding-ring, under-wear ; c. Open: black sheep, washing machine, etc. (exceptions: flowerpot can occur in three forms) In American English “compounds are usually written solid as soon as they have gained some permanent status, otherwise they are written open”. In British English, however, compounds are usually written hyphenated. 3. Phonologically, the main stress is usually put on the first element and a secondary stress on the second element. e.g. a `grand-piano (三角钢琴) (compound) a `blackboard (黑板) (compound) the `outcome, `snowfall; a `grand `piano (大钢琴) (free phrase) a ` black `board (黑色板子)