Title: Transitional Morphology
Subtitle: Combining Forms in Modern English
Series Title: Studies in English Language
Publication Year: 2025

Publisher: Cambridge University Press
http://www.cambridge.org/linguistics
Book URL: https://www.cambridge.org/universitypress/subjects/languages-linguistics/morphology/transitional-morphology-combining-forms-modern-english?format=PB&isbn=9781009168298

Author(s): Elisa Mattiello

Paperback ISBN: 9781009168298 Pages: 256 Price: U.K. £ 23.99
Paperback ISBN: 9781009168298 Pages: 256 Price: Europe EURO 28.00
Paperback ISBN: 9781009168298 Pages: 256 Price: U.S. $ 31.99

Abstract:

Combining Forms (CFs) are a major morphological phenomenon in Modern English, yet while they have been discussed in some morphological literature, no full-length study has been devoted to this topic so far. This pioneering book addresses that gap by providing a framework in which CFs are marked as distinct from their neighbouring categories such as abbreviations and blending. It splits CFs into four distinct categories – neoclassical (e.g. bio-therapy, zoo-logy), abbreviated (e.g. e-reader, econo-politics), secreted (e.g. oil-gate, computer-holic) and splinters (e.g. docu- from documentary in docudrama). It shows that the notion of CF spans a wide spectrum of processes, from regular composition to abbreviation, from blending to analogy, and schema. Modern and emerging English CFs are analysed by adopting a corpus-based approach, and measuring their realised, expanding, and potential productivity. Comprehensive yet accessible, it is essential reading for researchers and advanced students of morphology, English historical linguistics, corpus linguistics, and lexicography.

Written In: English (eng)