In linguistics, word formation is the process of creating a new word in which bound morphemes are added to a word. Compounding and derivation are both word formation processes that create new lexemes which are commonly verbs, nouns, or adjectives. Compounding words are formed when two or more lexemes combine into a single new word and derivation changes the form of a base word by adding affixes to it, placing it in a different lexical category. An example of this would be having a verb and creating into a noun. These compounded words are also described as free morphemes because they can stand alone, the only difference is, when separated, they have two completely different meanings. For many years slang has been created, modified, and used in our everyday lives with the help of social media and popular influencers. Slang differs when it comes to age groups and social groups; for example, slang words that were used in the 1970s would not be apparent to those who were born between the years 1990 and 2000. Some examples of slang words that are used today are “throwing shade” (compound slang) is when someone criticizes or disrespects someone verbally or nonverbally. “Crunk” isn’t really used as much but means getting crazy/ hig* and drunk, “periodttt” emphasizes the end of a statement, “crashy” is the mixture of one being crazy and trashy, “lowkey” is something that is described to be kept on the down low, and “highkey” is the opposite of lowkey where something described is emphasized. “Sus” is a shortened way to escribe someone or something that is suspect or suspicious. “GOAT” is also an abbreviated slang which means greatest of all time. “Big Mad” is honestly one of my favorites; it’s another way of saying one is extremely upset about something, and “shook” is when one is scared or shaken by something.

 

Citations:

Nordquist, R. (2020, February 4). The derivations of words used in English. ThoughtCo. Retrieved December 16, 2021, from https://www.thoughtco.com/derivation-words-term-1690438

Amy Morin, L. C. S. W. (2021, October 15). Teen slang words every parent should know. Verywell Family. Retrieved December 16, 2021, from https://www.verywellfamily.com/a-teen-slang-dictionary-2610994

Since Friday up until now I am still not sure on what topic I would like to right about for my final paper. I’m thinking of choosing between slang words (generational and those that have been passed on over a period of time) and breaking down oxymorons. If I were to choose the slang topic, I would discuss how slang developed in the past and how they can become words that we use in our everyday lives today. I find it interesting how its primarily used as a form to relate with one another, create bonds and connections in youths. I would question if the same or similar slang words were used in the past to describe things compared to the ones we use today. I will also add that social media platforms do play a part in influencing us to speak the way we do and how words can be coined or reinvented like ghosted GOAT and catfish. If I write about oxymorons I would discuss how it used in our everyday language and how it is a form of blending being that it combines two contradictory terms, revealing the complexity of the word through the  layers of its actual meaning and it creating a whole new meaning. An issue I know I will have when writing this paper is being able to expand and elaborate on the topic I do decide on choosing to a point where I become overly repetitive or get off topic.

Breadstick- endocentric [[bread]n [stick]n] N

Cheeseburger- endocentric [[cheese]n [burger]n] N

Watermelon- exocentric [[water]n [melon]n] N

Fishcake- endocentric [[fish]n [cake]n] N

Blueberry- endocentric [[blue]adj [berry]n] N

1. Verbs to Nouns

-ment, [[X]_V er]_N

 

Amaze → amazement

Argue  → argument

Abandon  → abandonment

 

2. Nouns to Verbs

–ed, [[X]_V ed]_N

 

Water → watered

Steam → steamed

Mop → mopped

 

3. Amazement → amazemented

argument→ argumented

abandonment→ abandonmented

 

Overall, the resulting words in this process were not all well-formed. As you can see in the word amazement, the stem word is amaze, which is a verb. When referring to the action or state of the verb -ment was added, creating a noun which is an already-existing word. As for my other two examples, (argument→ argumented, abandonment→ abandonmented) by adding the suffix (-ed) created a non-existing word because an affix is already present within these words which is (-ment). Thus, allowing the words to not sound well-formed or proper in the English language. To successfully create a well-formed word with added affixes starting with a standard existent word, (stem word) would help allow one to a create a word without it not only sounding unusual but funny looking as well.

A simplex word consists of a single morpheme that cannot be broken down into smaller segments. While a simplex word is made up of one constituent, a complex word has two or more. A complex word consists of two or more morphemes that can be broken down into smaller parts and usually compose of one or more roots and or affixes. In this case the words that were provided which were forbid, forget, forgive, forgo, and forswear are all complex words. I say this because for-bid and for-give are words that can stand alone and still have their own meaning. For example, the word “for” means to have support or purpose of something or someone and the word “give” means to freely give up or transfer the possession of something to someone. These two words, that have two completely different meanings, stand alone and they both create a word that produces another meaning.