Search

The main goal of the paper is to analyze and evaluate the nature and the role of word-formation systems in a sample of 73 European languages. The basis for the comparison is 100 word-formation features representing 12 word-formation processes. The data is used to examine (a) the structural richness of word-formation systems at the level of individual languages, language genera, families and the linguistic area of Europe, and (b) the parameter of Maximum Feature Occurrence that identifies those word-formation features that are present in all languages under consideration, i.e., in all languages of a genus, a family or a linguistic area of Europe. In the latter case, it identifies the so-called Euroversals. From the diachronic perspective, the paper evaluates the degree of diversification of languages belonging to the same language genus and language family.

Cross-linguistic research in the field of word-formation (WF) is more or less an untilled area. The main goal of this paper is to compare WF systems in Slavic languages, to analyse and evaluate their nature by comparing WF processes and types in Slavic languages as a whole as well as in individual languages of the Slavic genus. The basis for the comparison is the parameter of saturation value which indicates the structural richness of WF systems in terms of synchronically productive processes. This parameter facilitates cross-linguistic comparison at different levels of generalization, in particular: (i) intra-language level – comparison of the relative contribution of individual WF processes within one language; (ii) inter-language level (a) – comparison of the role of selected WF processes in various languages; inter-language level (b) – comparison of WF systems of various languages; (iii) supra-language level – comparison of WF in various language genera; language families and/or areas (Sprachbunds). The most typical features of compounding, affixation and conversion in Slavic languages are highlighted and illustrated with examples. The method applied to the analysis of word-formation processes is the semasiological method. The results, summarized in tables, make it possible to identify prototypical features of word-formation in Slavic languages.

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.

Introduction by Laurie Bauer, Livia Kortvelyessy and Pavol Stekauer.- Semantics, Concepts, and Meta-Cognition: Attributing Properties and Meanings to Complex Concepts by Christina L. Gagne and Thomas L. Spalding.- The Interface of Semantic Interpretation and Inflectional Realization by Gregory Stump.- The Role of Second Order Schemas in the Construction of Complex Words by Geert Booij and Francesca Masini.- Sense Inheritance in English Word-Formation by Laurie Bauer and Salvador Valera.- Word-Formation Strategies: Semantic Transparency vs. Formal Economy by Livia Kortvelyessy, Pavol Stekauer and Julius Zimmermann.- Lexeme Formation in a Conscious Approach to The Lexicon by Livio Gaeta.- Remarks on Tautology in Word-Formation by Bogdan Szymanek.- Form and Meaning of Bahuvrihi Compounds: Evidence from Modern Greek and its Dialects by Marios Andreou and Angela Ralli.- Transpositions and the Limits of Word Formation by Pius Ten Hacken.- Structural Sensitivity as an Argument for Underspecification by Antonio Fabregas.- Stacking as a Reflex and Indicator of (Proto-)Typical Selectional Restrictions by Heike Baeskow.- Thoughts on Morphology and Cultural Evolution by Mark Aronoff.- Predicting the Semantics of English Nominalizations: A Frame-Based Analysis of -ment Suffixation by Lea Kawaletz and Ingo Plag.