A Brief Analysis of Compounds.doc

华中师范大学本科课程论文（设计） 题目 A Brief Analysis of Compounds . 院 （系） 外国语学院 主修专业 思想政治教育 辅修专业 普通语言学概论 年 级 2010级 学生姓名 马会茹 学 号 2010201150 任课教师 徐泉 评定成绩 二O一二年十二月6AbstractCompounding, one of the chief methods of forming new words, is especially commonly used in present-day English and today the largest percentage of new words are formed by compounding. In this article the definition, the classification and the features of compounds are discussed.Key Words: Compound; Criterion; Classification; Features1. IntroductionThere are many ways of English word-formation .The main ways are compounding, derivation and conversion. Since World War II, these methods have made many new words . However, compound words is one of the largest proportion. Compounding is flexible and compound words are very lively .So compounding has an important influence on enriching the modern English vocabulary. In daily English teaching and learning , we will meet a large number of compounds. Compounds are composed of two or more separate words according to a certain combination of the law .There are three compound types:compound nouns ,compound adjectives and compound verbs. The relationship between the components of the compound words in English are diverse. Compound words meaning is not often simply t judging by the meaning of the word that is a component part of them. People sometimes may have confusion and difficulty in learning compound words.This article will be a brief analysis of compounds .2.The Definition of CompoundsIn English, words, particularly adjectives and nouns, are combined into compound structures in a variety of ways. And once they are formed, they sometimes metamorphose over time. A common pattern is that two words — fire fly, say — will be joined by a hyphen for a time — fire-fly — and then be joined into one word — firefly. In this respect, a language like English, in which words are happily and immediately linked one to the other, might seem to have an advantage. There is only one sure way to know how to spell compounds in English: use an authoritative dictionary. However,there is an fiercely argument on the definition of English compounds among the linguists. So there is not a precise definition of compounds. However, linguists made judgments of compound words usually accordingto the following rules. 2.1 Hyphens Some linguists think the hyphen is the mark of compound words when one word is made up of two or more words .So they believe that hyphens can be used to determine a compound word. Sometimes we find compound words with a hyphen , for example pen-name;However,when two words linked together, they may have no hyphen between them, for example , teacup; Sometimes they may be written separately , for example ,air raid.Therefore, there are no definite rules to follow when we write compound words .Sometimes a compound word may have three writing types , such as the flower-pot,flower-pot,flower pot. In order to master the standard writing style , we need to consult the dictionary frequently . 2.2 Stress Some linguists think the stress is the best criteria for identying compounds. They believe that the stess usually falls on the first part of many compounds , such as hot dog ( hot dog , hot dog ), 'greenhouse ( greenhouse ); Other compounds , the primary stess falls on the first part of the compound words and the secondary stress falls on the second part , such as 'Washing-machine,'bluebottle ( green head flies ) . We can compare it with " adjective + noun " structure , such as blue'bottle,green'house . However, this standard sometimes will lose its effect because it cannot distinguish between compound words and common phrases , such as compound 'cold'war , 'High tech'nology.Moreover,the structure of "adjectives + Nouns" and" past participle + noun "can not be distinguished with each other.For example, 'Integrated'circuit , in'verted'commas .Because both of their primary stress falls on the second part. In addition , some compound words can be read out with double stress , such as 'short'wave ( SW ), 'white-'collar ( white collar ). So , we can know that the stress is not a very reliable basis for identifying compounds. 2.3 Semantic Some linguists believe that semantics is the main basis for identification of compounds. Compound words consist of two or more separate words .However , the compound word's meaning is not the meaning of several components' sum. It will lead to a new special semantics. Such as the ladybird,it does not have the same meaning with the lady or the bird." dark-room"is dedicated to the room which is used for developing photographs ; "dark room" refers to all the dark rooms. However , the meaning of some compounds can be more easily derived from an integral part of its meaning , such as sunrise,sun。