Traditional approaches to word formation assume an established stock of word formation processes (such as compounding, derivation, conversion, shortening, etc.) and units (e.g., affixes, combining forms, words). Examples that do not fit tightly into these categories are typically considered to be either exceptional or peripheral. However, assuming that language is to a large part motivated, the seminar will explore the cognitive processes underlying the production of slightly deviant, yet highly intriguing linguistic phenomena (based mostly on American English examples), such as euphemisms, blends, -er nominals, metaphorical compounds and acronyms, and will aim to answer the following questions: what sort of cognitive processes are involved in the formation of novel words; what are the pragmatic considerations and contextual factors that play a role in the formation of neologisms; and what generalizations can be made with regard to the creative streak of present-day American English.
Set texts: Various cognitive linguistic articles on word formation.