From compounding to derivation The emergence of derivational affixes through “constructionalization”

Abstract

AbstractThe rise of new derivational affixes can be analyzed adequately as a case of “constructionalization” within the framework of Construction Morphology as developed by Booij (2010). We review some aspects and problems of previous accounts that view the emergence of derivational affixes as a case of grammaticalization or as a case of lexicalization, respectively. In line with recent developments in grammaticalization research, not the isolated element (word or affix) is viewed as the locus of change, but the complex word as a whole - seen as a “construction” in the sense of Construction Grammar - and its relation with other constructions. Morphological change can be conceived as constructional change at the word level.