Noun layers in Old English: Mismatches and asymmetry in lexical derivation

  1. Arista, J.M. 1
  1. 1 Universidad de La Rioja
    info

    Universidad de La Rioja

    Logroño, España

    ROR https://ror.org/0553yr311

Journal:
Nordic Journal of English Studies

ISSN: 1502-7694

Year of publication: 2014

Volume: 13

Issue: 3

Pages: 160-187

Type: Article

SCOPUS: 2-s2.0-84919762459 GOOGLE SCHOLAR

More publications in: Nordic Journal of English Studies

Institutional repository: lock_openOpen access Editor

Abstract

The aim of the article is to explain the form-function mismatches that occur in the formation of Old English nouns. The analysis identifies pairs of derived nouns that share a lexemic root and represent instances of near-synonymy. Two types of mismatch are found in the formation of nouns, namely convergent derivation due to the competition of suffixes and convergent derivation resulting from the competition of bases. Four types of asymmetry can be distinguished: on the grounds of process, category, productivity and recursivity. The existence of mismatches and the associated asymmetry indicate two waves of word-formation that configure two layers in the lexicon of Old English.