Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.22210/jezik.2026.73.04
Conversion – morphosyntax and/or word building
Igor Marko Gligorić
Abstract
The paper considers conversion or transfiguration as a generally accepted way of word
formation and places it in the context of the (possible) difference between morphology
(morphology in the narrower sense) and word building. Analysing Croatian, Slavic and
(general) linguistic definitions of conversion and similar phenomena, an attempt will be
made to give a brief overview of thinking on conversion in the lexical sense. Conversion
will also be exemplified by newer formations – lexical units – which would traditionally
be understood as the results of conversion. By syntactically (micro)contextualizing such
language units, conversion will be observed as a linguistic phenomenon at the boundary
between word function and word classes (i.e., parts of speech). In addition, the lexicographical
implications of the recognition of conversion results will be analysed regarding the
prevailing understanding of this phenomenon. It will be recognized which types of words are more often formed (?) by conversion in the traditional sense, and which less often, and
a partly different interpretation of the transformation from a morphosyntactic, lexicological
and lexicographical perspective will be offered. It will consider the consequences of their
syntactic function on the meaning, and thus the understanding, of linguistic (lexical) units.
Keywords
conversion; morphosyntax; word building; parts of speech
Hrčak ID:
350188
URI
Publication date:
1.2.2026.
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