Word-Formation Strategies: Semantic Transparency vs. Formal Economy (original) (raw)

Studies in Morphology, 2015

Abstract

The paper discusses two significant tendencies in the formation of new complex words, the tendency towards semantic transparency and the tendency towards economy of expression. A new conception of the notion of semantic transparency is proposed within the framework of an onomasiological theory. It draws on the concept of the onomasiological type which is based on the Morpheme-to-Seme-Assignment Principle. Furthermore, the concept of semantic transparency is interrelated to that of meaning predictability. It is demonstrated that various word-formation strategies reflecting a language user’s preference for semantic transparency or formal economy significantly affect the process of complex word meaning predictability. A cross-linguistic experiment includes three sets of tasks and covers four languages, Slovak, Bulgarian, Hungarian and English. The aim is to examine, analyze and discuss preferred naming strategies in terms of three research questions pertaining to the central topic of this paper.

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