What is word creation

By word-making it is customary to understand the process of creating new words, thereby replenishing dictionaries. This happens through the use of existing methods of word formation, the creation of completely new hitherto unknown words by individual authors of literary works, and the semantic transformation of an existing word.

Normative ways of creating words

New words are formed in various ways. Among them are such methods as prefixal, suffixal, prefixal-suffixal, non-suffixic, postfixal, lexico-semantic, addition of bases with and without the addition of a suffix, abbreviation, conversion, etc.

The prefix method is based on adding a prefix to the root. At the same time, an additional one is added to the main meaning. This may be the value of approximation - removal, increase - decrease, etc. For example, if you add the prefix pr- to the verb “fly”, then a new verb “fly” is formed, in which the approximation value is added to the previously existing main meaning.

The suffix method of word formation involves adding a suffix to an existing base and, thereby, obtaining a new word. This method is most characteristic for the formation of adverbs with the suffixes -o, -e, verbs with the suffixes -yva-, -iva-, -va-, nouns with the suffixes -eni, -ni-, -i-, -ti-. For example, the adverb “ruthless” forms the adverb “ruthless” by adding the suffix -o.

In the prefixal-suffixal method of word formation, the prefix and suffix are added to the word base at the same time. An example is the formation of the adjective “home-based” by joining the noun and suffix -n- to the noun “home”.

Non-suffix word-formation is performed by cutting off the word suffix and postfix. In this way, nouns are often formed from verbs and adjectives. For example, from the adjective "high" the noun "heights" is formed, and from the verb "go out" - the noun "exit".

Verbs form postfixally. In this case, the postfix -sya is added to the original verb. An example is the verb "learn".

The lexical-semantic formation of new words implies a change in the original meaning. An example of this method of word formation is the phrase "male outfit" and "police outfit."

Addition is made by combining two bases. A suffix may be added. In this way, the words "felling", "rocking chair", "puzzle", etc. are formed.

The abbreviation of words to the initial letters, or otherwise abbreviation, also applies to word formation methods. So, when reducing the phrase "higher education institution" the abbreviation "university" is formed.

Conversion as a way of word formation allows you to change part of speech, while maintaining the word in its original form. For example, the adjective "patient", depending on the context, can act as a noun: "sick child" and "patient lies in the fifth ward."