Current word formation models of the English vocabulary buildup (based on 2022–2023 words of the year)

Abstract

The article discusses ways of replenishing and changing the English language vocabulary that are relevant for the modern period of its development. The purpose of this study is to identify, describe and classify the most productive types of word formation in the lexical system of the English language at the present stage. The study of the most noticeable lexical transformations, which significantly intensified after the year 2020 under the influence of a number of extralinguistic factors, is carried out on the basis of frequently used vocabulary, the popularity of which was recognized and recorded by authoritative British, American and Australian dictionaries, and also by the analytical agency The Global Language Monitor, and the non-profit scientific organization The American Dialect Society. In the context of the ongoing research, the greatest interest is in neologisms that quickly gained popularity and became part of the English language, in particular those that were recognized as Words of the Year in 2022 and 2023. During the study, a classification of selected neologisms was compiled in accordance with the methods of word formation, a count of new lexical units in each group was carried out, the percentage and share of each type of word formation was determined, and the most productive ways of replenishing the word stock of the English language in the specified time period were identified (new combinations of words, semantic derivation, compounding and blending, affixation, respelling, partial reduplication, abbreviation and acronymization, borrowings). Besides, some word formation models, which can be considered interesting from a linguistic point of view, are described. The results of the proposed analysis may be useful for further study of evolutionary trends in the lexical system of the English language.