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WORD FORMATION
- process of making a new word through many methods showing the constantly
changing language nature in the world.

DIFFERENT METHODS IN WORD FORMATION

1. Compounding – formation that uses two or more word combined to make a new word. The words
used do not lose their own sounds.

1.1 Open Compound – involves a space between the words used.

EXAMPLE : disc jockey, hot dog, barbeque stick, etc.
1.2 Closed Compound – two roots together with no space.
EXAMPLE : wallpaper, playground, bedroom, sidewalk, etc.
1.3 Hypenated Compound – involves hypen (-) between elements.
EXAMPLE : part-time, father-in-law, gluten-free, etc.

2. Blending – process in which parts of two or more words combine or blend to make a new word
usually the combined meaning of its elements.

EXAMPLE : cybernetic + organism + cyberg (human w/ robotics)

3. Clipping – process where you ‘clip off’ one part of the word usually taking only one or two
syllables from the word itself.

EXAMPLE : advertisement – ad, influenza – flu, etc.

4. Acronyms – taking initial letters of a phrase and making words with it.

EXAMPLE : awol – absent without leave, TY – thank you

5. Folk Etymology – changing of words and phrases overtime from on unfamiliar one to a more
familiar one. This involves study of origin and history of words with their-changes and meaning.

EXAMPLE : Cockroach, from Spanish word ‘cucaracha’

Chair, from Old French word ‘chaiere’
Bridegroom, from Old English word ‘Bryd-guman’