Getting the skill of how to build a word-building chain is very important. This skill will allow you to trace the sequence of creating a new speech unit and avoid gross mistakes in the future.
Derivative and producing words
All newly formed speech elements in Russian have a derivative basis. The word-building chain of compound words is built on the basis of the simplest - generating (motivating) unit. She is basic. All newly formed words are derivatives (motivated). This rule is preserved in all cases of the formation of new speech units.
A motivated word has a more complex structure in relation to the producer. This is reflected in the semantic, morphological and stylistic aspects.
Let's consider word-building chains - examples of derivatives and generating elements:
- Glass <=under-glass-nickname, where glass is a motivating unit. Coaster - derivative.
- Beat<=beat out, where beat is a generating word. Knock out - motivated.
Non-derivative (unmotivated) word
In Russian, there are speech units that are not formed from other words that have the same root. Such forms are said to have a non-derivative basis. A word-formation chain of a word having an unmotivated stem can be formed with such a unit only in the following way: non-derivative form as generating <=motivated form. That is, the base word is the one with the simplest composition.
Unmotivated speech units, as a rule, consist of one root. For example: brother, chair, day.
What is a word chain
The smallest unit of word formation is the generating form. All related elements are built on its basis. A word-formation chain is a sequence of speech forms that have one root. Each new element follows from the previous one. That is, this sequence has a hierarchical structure.
Each new unit in the word-building chain forms a speech pair with the previous one and is a derivative for it. The other word, in turn, is motivating.
Let's consider an example. In the chain weave<=weaver<=weaver "weaver" is derivative of "weave", while in relation to "weaver" it is motivating.
Why do we need a word-formation chain
Word-building chain of the word- the sequence of the emergence of new speech units. Language is a living mechanism that is constantly updated and replenished. Since most of the new speech units in Russian are derivatives, word formation is an important key to understanding the meaning of vocabulary and the possibility of learning it.
To form the skill and consolidate the skills of building sequences, it is appropriate to perform various tasks like:
- compose a word-building chain of the given word;
- find the generating form;
- determine in which word-building chain the sequence is broken;
- reveal the motivating basis;
- determine how many word-building chains are in this nest.
Derivational nests
With the help of word-building chains that combine single-root units of speech with a common semantic meaning, one more sequence can be compiled. It's called a nest. This is the most extensive concept in the system of constructing new lexical forms.
Derivational nests are a set of chains that unite speech units with a common semantic meaning. It is important to take into account not only the common root, but also the fact of semantic similarity. The top of the derivational nest is the simplest unit. Only by selecting the simplest in a series of single-root speech elements, it is possible to determine how many sequences can be built on the basis of it.
For example, word-formation chain: face <=depersonalize<=depersonalize forms a nest with a string: face<=face<=face. The speech unit "face" is a derivative in this nest.
Methods of word formation
In order to avoid mistakes when compiling word-building chains, one should understand how new speech elements are built in Russian.
There are several ways:
1. Addition. A new unit is formed by attaching the stem of one word to the stem of another (or more stems). There are the following ways:
- generating stem + connecting vowel + motivating word: gas-o-silicate, full-o-glas. In some cases, the connecting vowel may be absent: Kaliningrad;
- producing base + producing base: sofa bed, flared skirt, non-commissioned officer;
- generating stem+generating stem+suffix: head-scrap-to-a;
- abbreviation: the formation of complex words by adding fully or partially truncated bases: university, battalion commander, warehouse manager.
2. Morphological way - with the help of affixes:
- suffixal (using suffixes): raspberry-nickname <=raspberry;
- prefixed (using prefixes); re-run <=run;
- postfixal (-something, -or, -something, -sya): marry <=marry;
- combined (adjective-suffix, suffix-prefix, etc.)
3. Conversion (morphological-syntactic method). In this casethe word is not changed. The process of forming a new unit is carried out through the transition from one part of speech to another.
- substantiation - the formation of a noun from another part of speech: orderly, working, awake;
- adjectivation - the formation of an adjective by transition from another part of speech: burning eyes (compare: coals burning in a furnace);
- pronominalization (transition to pronouns): given context, in one city;
- adverbialization (transition to adverbs): I will do it my way (compare: I act according to my plan y);
- transition to prepositions: thanks to a happy occasion (compare: thanks to him for helping).
4. Lexico-semantic way. The word does not change its morphological structure, acquiring a different meaning: onion (plant) - onion (weapon), brush (for drawing) - brush (rowan).
5. Lexico-syntactic method: merging two or more units into one. For example: the following (listed below), ineffective (little effective).
Algorithm for compiling a word-building chain
In order to understand how to compose a word-building chain, it is necessary to study the sequence of actions. Strict adherence to all points will greatly simplify the task.
- Put the word in its initial form.
- Select all available affixes - prefixes, suffixes and root.
- Determine the way of education.
- Find the semantic meaning of a speech element(using a dictionary if necessary).
- In the series of single-root units, select a generator with a similar value.
For example, you want to find the generator for the word "cup holder".
Select affixes and the root: sub-glass-nickname, where under is a prefix, nickname is a suffix, glass is a root. Prefix-suffix way of word formation. We define the semantic meaning: a coaster is an object that is placed under a glass. This means that the word “glass” will act as a producer in this case.
Examples of word-building chains
Let's look at some examples of sequencing.
Requires a word-building chain with the word "have fun".
According to the algorithm:
- The initial form is "have fun".
- Selecting affixes: one-cheer-and-t-sya. Suffixes: formative - and -, indefinite form -t b-, postfix of the reflexive form of the verb -sya. prefix times-. Root -vesel-.
- Determining the type of word formation: we managed to identify form-building suffixes and a prefix. This means that the method is prefixed-suffixal.
- We highlight the semantic load of the speech element: "have fun": come in a good mood, become cheerful.
- The method of word formation is prefixed-suffixal. We are looking for a producing unit by simplification. The motivating word of the reflexive verb "have fun" is the irrevocable verb "cheer". The prefix once- in this case has the meaning of performing an action with great intensity. The generating word of the verb "cheer" is morea simple element "to amuse", which, in turn, is formed from the adjective "cheerful". Thus, the word-building chain will be:
Cheerful<=cheer<=cheer<=cheerful
Make a word-building chain for the noun "s alting".
According to the algorithm:
- The initial form is “s alting”.
- Select affixes and root: for-sol-k-a. Prefix: for-, root: -sol -, suffix: -k-, inflection: -a.
- Method of word formation: prefix-suffix.
- Define the semantic meaning of "s alting": preservation with s alt.
- We are looking for a simpler composition of the generating word. The suffix -k - indicates that the speech element denotes the name of the action and is formed from the verb. The word-formation pair for this noun is the verb "s alt". In turn, the prefix means the completion of the action - the verb is formed from the simpler form "s alt". "S alt" - to make something s alty with s alt. Producing the word "s alt". The word-formation chain will be of the form:
S alt<=s alt<=s alt<=s alt
Build a word-building chain for the adjective "non-pedagogical".
According to the algorithm:
- Initial form - non-pedagogical.
- Selecting morphemes: non-padagogy-ichn-th. Prefix non-, root -pedagog-, suffix -ichn -, inflection -th.
- Method of word formation: prefix-suffix.
- Defining the semantic meaning of "non-pedagogical": not conforming to the normspedagogy.
- The way of word formation is prefix-suffix. We are looking for a unit that is simpler in morphemic composition. The adjective "non-pedagogical" is formed from the same part of speech "pedagogical" with a prefix with a negative meaning non-. Thus, the generating unit in this pair is the word "pedagogical". In turn, the adjective "pedagogical" is formed with the help of a formative suffix - ichn - from the noun "pedagogy". This word is derived from the simpler noun "teacher". Thus, the producing unit (vertex) of this sequence is the noun "teacher". The word-building chain looks like this:
teacher<=pedagogy<=pedagogical<=non-pedagogical
Compose a word-building chain of the verb "take off makeup".
Perform the sequence of actions according to the algorithm:
- Indefinite form - “take off make-up”.
- Selecting affixes: un-make-up. Prefix: raz-, root: -grim -, formative suffix of the verb -irova- and indefinite affix -t, postfix -sya.
- Method of word formation: prefix-suffix.
- Determine the semantic meaning of the verb "take off your makeup": take off your makeup.
- The method of word formation is prefix-suffix, which means we are looking for a unit that is simpler in morphemic composition. The reflexive verb “to make up” is formed from the reflexive verb “to make up” using the prefix raz- with the meaning of cancellationprevious action. In turn, the reflexive verb "make up" - from the irrevocable verb "make up". The generating word of the verb "make up" is the non-derivative noun "make-up", which is the top of this sequence. The word-building chain is the following scheme:
make-up<=make-up<=make-up<=make-up
Worth noticing
When compiling word-building chains, it is recommended to pay attention to the following nuances:
- do not confuse derivational and formative analysis. The latter is aimed at identifying forms of the same word. For example: running - running - running. While the ultimate goal of word-formation analysis is a chain of new lexical units;
- the basis of the newly formed speech element, as a rule, consists of more affixes than the motivating one. For example, in the derivational pair: winter<=winter, the generating stem includes one affix - the root - winter-, while the stem of the motivated word consists of the root - winter - and the suffix - n-.
- in speech pairs denoting male and female faces or animal names, the generating word is usually a masculine noun. For example: weaver <=weaver; goose<=goose;
- in pairs that include different parts of speech - a verb denoting an abstract action, and a noun or adjective indicating a sign,the derived word is usually a noun. For example: old<=old age, oven<=baking;
- The main part of reflexive verbs is formed from non-reflexive ones. For example: study<=study, marry<=marry;
- when word formation of verbs, the following scheme most often works: non-derivative imperfective verb without prefix <=perfective verb with prefix <=verb with imperfective prefix and suffix: watch<=view<=see, sow<=sow<=sow b;
- in the word-formation of adverbs in -o, the generating unit, as a rule, is an adjective: good<=good, stormy<=stormy but.
Using dictionaries when compiling word-building chains
Even with strict adherence to the algorithm, compiling word-building chains sometimes causes certain difficulties. In this case, it is appropriate to use dictionaries. There are specialized publications, with the help of which it is possible to select single-root forms for almost any speech element. They contain word-building chains - examples with non-derivative units and with all its new formations. The ways and types of constructing language forms are indicated. Also here you can find tips on how to make a word-building chain for a particular speech element.
Non-derivative forms are arranged alphabetically in the manual. The most complete edition is the "Derivational Dictionary of the Russian Language" in 2volumes.
The use of dictionaries helps in building chains, and also contributes to the assimilation of new vocabulary.
