Morphology Paper
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
MA in English Language Teaching
ETM6702 Morphology and Syntax for English Language Teaching
Name: Chan Lester Theodore Student ID: 05412430 Date: 31st October 2005
Assignment 1
Discuss the processes by which new words come into a language. Give examples to support each process.
New words come into a language by different means. Many of them are inherited from early stages of the language. Others are created by considering the morphemes, the spelling or the phonological pattern of the words. In order to understand different word formation processes, it is important to understand the concept of morphemes, roots and affixes, etc. The following are the processes by which new words come into a language. Acronyms
These words are formed from the initials of a group of words that refers to one concept so that it is easier for people to name it. There are lots of examples of acronyms. Many of them are names of organizations. For example, HKEAA refers to the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority; EMB refers to Education and Manpower Bureau and IRD refers to the Inland Revenue Department. Some acronyms can be pronounced as a word. For example, laser for light amplification through the stimulated emission of radiation and AIDS for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Sometimes, acronyms can be formed in such a way that the word is pronounceable. For example, in order to make Standing Committee on Language Education and Research pronounceable, instead of using SCLER, the acronym SCOLAR is used. Backformation
Backformation is the process of deriving a new word from an existing word that is assumed to be a derivative of it. For example, pairs of words such as revision and revise; supervision and supervise and donation and donate. Actually revision, supervision and donation are the old words and we take off what looks like the typical affix –ion to make them verbs, revise, supervise and donate. We
MA in English Language Teaching
ETM6702 Morphology and Syntax for English Language Teaching
Name: Chan Lester Theodore Student ID: 05412430 Date: 31st October 2005
Assignment 1
Discuss the processes by which new words come into a language. Give examples to support each process.
New words come into a language by different means. Many of them are inherited from early stages of the language. Others are created by considering the morphemes, the spelling or the phonological pattern of the words. In order to understand different word formation processes, it is important to understand the concept of morphemes, roots and affixes, etc. The following are the processes by which new words come into a language. Acronyms
These words are formed from the initials of a group of words that refers to one concept so that it is easier for people to name it. There are lots of examples of acronyms. Many of them are names of organizations. For example, HKEAA refers to the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority; EMB refers to Education and Manpower Bureau and IRD refers to the Inland Revenue Department. Some acronyms can be pronounced as a word. For example, laser for light amplification through the stimulated emission of radiation and AIDS for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. Sometimes, acronyms can be formed in such a way that the word is pronounceable. For example, in order to make Standing Committee on Language Education and Research pronounceable, instead of using SCLER, the acronym SCOLAR is used. Backformation
Backformation is the process of deriving a new word from an existing word that is assumed to be a derivative of it. For example, pairs of words such as revision and revise; supervision and supervise and donation and donate. Actually revision, supervision and donation are the old words and we take off what looks like the typical affix –ion to make them verbs, revise, supervise and donate. We