Original scientific paper

Word-formation Models in Croatian

Branka Tafra ; Hrvatski studiji Sveučilišta u Zagrebu
Petra Košutar ; Hrvatski studiji Sveučilišta u Zagrebu

Abstract

In Croatian grammar, as well as in grammars of other languages, mainly two major types of
word–formation models are distinguished: derivation and compounding, and other word–formation
models are mentioned only marginally. In that way the formation of numerous words remains
unexplained. This paper discusses the question: How a word is formed? Since words can be formed
through grammatical processes (e. g. grad–ski, pri–gradski, donj–o–grad–ski), and through semantic
processes (e. g. lexicalization, /de/onymization, homonymization etc.), our point of departure
is that word–formation should describe all possible ways of word–formation from affixation, language
borrowing, loan translations, shortening, to depolysemization and lexicalization. Consequently,
word–formation is regarded in this paper as an independent linguistic discipline and its range
is extended in reference to earlier approaches within the grammars of the Croatian language.
By applying different criteria of classification, differentiation of several more word–formation
types and subtypes has become possible. Through critical reviewing of word–formation studies in
Croatian, suggestions on possible solutions to some contentious issues have been suggested.

Keywords

word–formation; the emergence of words; Croatian language

Hrčak ID:

38142

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/38142

Publication date:

19.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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