Word formation is a term linguists use to describe how new lexemes, or words, are formed. A popular form of word formation is coinage. Coinage refers to the process in which a new words are created willingly or accidentally using other word formation processes. Some of those processes include derivation, compounding and conversion. They all serve as approaches towards creating new lexemes. With coinage though, they typically arise due to acronyms, conversion, compounding, clipping, borrowing, blending, and reduplication. Because of mass media, coinage is widely spread and  in a quick manner. We normally see coined words everywhere around us such as in the arts and entertainment, technology, politics, food, and advertising. Coined words may even be slang terms, which we see people use in several day to day instances. But even besides that, coined words are used just as occasionally as normal everyday words are. Anyone can coin a word. But, if speakers who make coined words are influential, these words become part of the vocabulary of the community around them. In my research, I will be exploring different instances of coinage where celebrities have been of a big influence. Many famous music personnel have created coined words, phrases, or utterances in which people in everyday society have grown to use over the years.

The topic that I am interested in exploring is word formation from multiple artists. I think this topic could be really interesting to dive into deeper to discuss the coinage of words. I figured that finding coined words artists use can go to show how us as listeners become influenced by popular artists and begin to use the words in our daily lives. In my essay, I would include information about word formation and coinage (possibly the origin of coinage, why words are coined, how words are coined, what makes a word coined etc). Going further, I will find artists who have coined terms and popularized them. For example, Eminem had coined the word “Stan,” which I didn’t know until I began to do research. Also, Tupac coined the term “thug life.” These are just two examples of what I would plan to go into deeper in my essay. I may also want to analyze if these coined words depend on the genre of music the artist is associated with. After mentioning their coinage, I think I may do some additional research on the word and how it is used today. It would show the influence it has generationally as well as world wise usage. I’m not too sure what additional research I should incorporate besides word formation, coinage, and the multiple artists and coined words. But, I believe if I have all the appropriate information I can successfully make this essay work. 

Blueberry

Endocentric

[[blue]A[berry]N]N

Cupcake

Exocentric

[[cup]N[cake]N]N

Pancake

Exocentric

[[pan]N[cake]N]N

Popcorn

Exocentric

[[pop]V[corn]N]N

Milkshake

Exocentric

[[milk]N[shake]N]N

(1) Verbs to Nouns

-ance

-ance, [[X]V ance]N

Accept —> acceptance 

Assist —> assistance

Attend —> attendance

(2) Nouns to Verbs

-ed

-ed, [[X]N ed]V

Sign —> signed

Kill —> killed

Fail —> failed

(3) Output words in (1) as the inputs in (2)

Acceptance —> acceptanced

Assistance —> assistanced

Attendance —> attendanced

As a result, these new words are not well-formed words nor are they already-existing words. By adding the two affixes (-ance and -ed) to one word it does not make this process work. The words given as outputs in (1) would need to get rid of their existing suffix and switch it with the affix in (2) in order to make sense and be a well-formed word. I believe you can not change categories of a word unless it is a root word that can stand alone. Overall, we are able to note that words with affixes can not add additional affixes to make a “new word.”  

It’s noted that simplex words cannot decompose into smaller units. This means that there are no affixes attached to the word, the word itself stands alone. Therefore, another word cannot derive from a simplex word. On the other hand, complex words contain affixes and are able to decompose into smaller units, or constituents. The words “forbid,” “forget,” “forgive,” “forgo,” and “forswear” are considered to be complex words. In each of the words there is a prefix (for) with an a root word attached. For example, you are able to breakdown the word  “forgive” into 2 constituents- for and give. If asked to analyze just the word “for” we would automatically assume the word is simplex since it stands alone and cannot be broken down into smaller units. But, because there are 2 constituents in the given list of words they are to be complex. Additionally, complex words are typically “one who does the verb.”