Chapter III Word-formation (I)

WangChengshanHebeiNormalUniversityforNationalitiesOctober29,2012EnglishLexicologyChapterIIIWord-formation(I)Word-FormationI:TheMajorProcesses3.1GeneralRemarks3.2Prefixation3.3Suffixation3.4Conversion3.5Compounding33.1GeneralRemarksThethreemajorprocessesaffixationorderivation(17.5%)Prefixationsuffixationconversion(10.5%)compositionorcompounding(27%)43.2PrefixationThedefinitionofprefixationPrefixationistheformationofnewwordsbyaddingprefixestostems.Prefixesdonotgenerallychangetheword-classofthestembutonlymodifyitsmeaning.However,thereisaninsignificantnumberofclass-changingprefixesNon-class-changingprefixes:natural-unnatural,like-dislike,fair-unfairClass-changingprefixes:force-enforce,danger-endanger,form-deform,little-belittle,war-postwar,college-intercollege53.2PrefixationTheclassificationofprefixesInsomereferencebooks,prefixes(andsuffixes)areclassifiedaccordingtotheirsource,butthisdoesnotseemtohelpfromapracticalpointofview.Itseemsmorehelpfultoclassifythemostimportantproductiveprefixesbytheirmeaningintothefollowingtencategories:63.2Prefixation1)Negativeprefixesa-/an-amoral,asexual,atheism,anacid,anarchy,dis-dishonest,discontent,discover,disobey,disagreein-incomplete,inconsistent,incorrect,invulnerable,illogical,illegal,impolite,immoral,imbalance,irrational,irregularnon-nonviolent,non-cooperation,nonautomatic,nonadjustable,nonalcoholicun-uninformative,unexpected,unease,unrest73.2PrefixationOrderLiterateSymmetryGovernmentalRelevantProductiveBelievableVulnerableSaneRelatedAlignedMatureDisorderIlliterateAsymmetryNongovernmentalIrrelevantUnproductiveUnbelievableInvulnerableInsaneUnrelatedNonalignedImmature83.2Prefixation2)Reversativeorprivativede-defrost,deregulation,degeneration,deformed,denationalizeun-undo,unpack,untie,unwrap,unmaskdis-disconnect,dishearten,disinterested93.2PrefixationCentralizePlaneInfectZipRegulatePossessPolluteDecentralizeDeplaneDisinfectUnzipDeregulateDispossessDepollute103.2Prefixation3)Pejorativeprefixesmis-misguide,misapplication,misbehavior,mischoice,misgivingmal-maladjustment,maldigestion,malfunction,maldevelopmentpseudo-pseudonym,pseudoscience,pseudoclassic,pseudo-friend113.2Prefixation4)Prefixesofdegreeorsizehyper-hyperactive,hypercritical,hyperaggressive,hypercautiousultra-ultramodern,ultrasecret,ultraclean,ultrasonic,ultraconservativemini-minibus,minicamera,miniskirtout-outdo,outgrown,outliveover-overwork,overestimate,overemphasize,overabundance,overburdenunder-underdeveloped,underpopulation,undergraduatesuper-supermarket,superpower,superstarsub-subadult,subtitle,subbreed,subatom123.2PrefixationComputerCriticalConsciousNaturalSensitiveSimpleNumberStatementcultureMinicomputerUltracritic/hypercriticSubconsciousSupernaturalHypersensitive/ultrasensitiveOversimpleOutnumberUnderstatementSubculture133.2Prefixation5)Prefixesoforientationandattitudeco-co-author,co-star,co-prosperity,cooperationcounter-counterexample,counterclaim,counteractive,counterattack,counterculture,countermeasureanti-anti-abortion,anti-art,antiwar,antibacterial,antisocial,anticancer,antibodypro-pro-American,pro-revolutionary,pro-Fascism,pro-student,proslavery143.2Prefixation6)Locativeprefixesfore-forearm,foreleg,forename,forewordinter-international,intergovernmental,intertwine,interdisciplinary,intercollegetrans-transatlantic,transoceanic,transform,transplanttele-telephone,telegram,telecommunication153.2PrefixationViewConferenceContinentalGroundCastSpecificRacialShoreInterviewteleconferenceIntercontinentalForegroundTelecastTranspacificTransracialForeshore163.2Prefixation7)Prefixesoftimeandorderex-ex-husband,ex-president,ex-colony,ex-convictfore-foresee,foretell,forefather,forewarnpre-premature,prewar,prehistoric,prepay,premaritalpost-post-election,postwar,postgraduate,postdoctoral173.2Prefixation8)Numberprefixesuni-/mono-unilateral,unicell,unicircuit,unicolor,unicycle,unidimensional,uniform,unipolar,monoxide,monocrystal,monogamy,monologuebi-/di-bicycle,bilingual,bimonthly,dioxide,dialogue,dichotomy,disyllabletri-triangular,triatomic,trimonthly,trilateral,trilingualmulti-/poly-multipurpose,multipolar,multiangular,multilingual,polyatomic,polycrystal,polygamysemi-semicircle,semiliterate,semivowel,semiannual,semicolony,semiautomatic183.2PrefixationGreekLatinhalfhemi-semi-onemono-soli-,uni-twodi-bi-threetri-ter-fourtetra-quadri-fivepenta-quint-sixhexa-sex-sevenhepta-sept-eightoct-oct-nineennea-nova-tendeci-crus-193.2PrefixationLingualLateralPolarDimensionalUnilingual,bilingual,trilingual,multilingualUnilateral,bilateral,trilateral,multilateralUnipolar,bipolar,tripolar,multipolarUnidimensional,bidimensional,tridimensional(three-dimensional),multidimensional203.2Prefixation9)Conversionprefixesa-aloud,asleep,aglow,awashbe-belittle,bestir,befriend,bewitchen-endanger,enforce,enable,embody,embitter,empower213.2Prefixation10)MiscellaneousprefixesExtra-Extralinguistic,extraordinary,extraterrestrialNeo-Neo-classicism,neo-colonialis