WORD FORMATION ON BBC NEWS “ISRAELI COMPLETED THE

DISMANTLING OF HAMAS STRUCTURES NORTHERN GAZA STRIP”

Muh. Azhar arsyad

Universitas Islam Negeri Alauddin Makassar, Indonesia
Corresponding author: 🖂 azhararsyad03@gmail.com
Received: 8 January 2024 Revised: Accepted: 10 January 2024

Abstract

This research was aimed to analyze the types word formation and their processes
which found in English articles of BBC News. This research used qualitative case study
research design. The method in collecting the data was by searching the data in BBC News
related to the articles of education, health, and science and technology. The research on word
formation in news aims to understand how the formation of words in news contexts can affect
readers' understanding and interpretation. By analyzing the morphological structure and word
formation in news. The data that contained word formation were collected and classified
them based on its categories, then analyzed them based on the processes of how the words are
formed. The results of this research showed that there were five types of word formation
found in the BBC News articles, they were derivation, inflection,compound, acronym and
initialism. From those types, Inflection was the most common word formation found in the
articles because it was the basic division in forming the words. Those word formation
processes are included into morphological analysis.

Keywords: articles of BBC News; morphology; word formation

Introduction

Morphology is a branch of linguistics that studies th e internal structure of words,

including word formation and word change. Morphology also studies the basic units of
language, such as morphemes, and how they form words. According to O'Grady (1993) states
that morphology is "the system of categories and rules used in word formation" and involves
categories and rules in word formation and interpretation. The elements contained in
morphology include:

Morphemes : Morphemes are the smallest elements in morphology that carry meaning.
Morphemes can be divided into two types, namely free morphemes that can stand alone as
words, and bound morphemes that must be attached to other words

Word Formation : Includes the process of affixation (addition of prefixes and suffixes),
reduplication, conversion, composition, and other word formation processes

Word Internal Structure : Covers the arrangement of morphemes in a word, including the
order and relationship between the morphemes

Word Form Change : Studies the process of changing word forms and the meanings that
arise, such as the formation of plurals, derivation, and flexion.

Morphology and word formation are closely related and interconnected in the field of
linguistics. Morphology is a subfield of linguistics that studies the internal structure of words
and how they are formed. It focuses on the analysis of morphemes, which are the smallest
meaningful units of language. Word formation, on the other hand, refers to the process by
which new words are created or formed using various morphological processes. These
processes include derivation, compounding, inflection, and other word-building strategies.
Morphology provides the foundation for word formation as it deals with the analysis and
classification of morphemes, which are then combined to form new words. Morphemes can
be either free (able to function as independent words) or bound (always attached to other
morphemes).

The study of morphology helps in understanding how words are constructed and how
they change in form and meaning. Through the analysis of morphemes and their patterns,
linguists can identify the rules and patterns that govern word formation processes. Word
formation, on the other hand, utilizes these rules and patterns identified in morphology to
create new words or expand the lexical inventory of a language. It involves combining
morphemes or adding affixes to existing words to create new words or modify their meaning
and function. In summary, morphology and word formation are intimately linked.
Morphology provides the theoretical framework and analysis of morphemes, while word
formation applies these principles to create and understand the formation of new words in a
language.

Word formation involves several processes in the linguistic environment that are used
to create new words in language. Here are some types of word formation and examples:
Prefix Incorporation : Adding a prefix to a word to change the meaning or function of the
word. Examples: indiscipline (discipline + indiscipline), just (unjust + just), tidy (tidy + tidy),

Suffix Incorporation : Adding a suffix to a word to change the meaning or function of the
word. Examples: workaholic (work + aholic), swim (swim + pool), talkative (talk +ative)[,
Conversion : Changing a word or sentence into a different word, such as noun into verb.
Example: teach (to teach), learn (to learn), Compounding : Combining words to form a new
word, such as "overload" (over + load) or "blackboard" (black + board), Abbreviation :
Creating abbreviated words from long sentences. Example: phone (telephone) or tv
(television), Blending : Combining parts of different words to form a new word. Example:
smog (smoke + fog) or skis (ski + scissors), Novel Creation : Creating a new word without
using any pre-existing morphology. Examples: blimp (blimp), lick-spittle (lick + spittle),
verb-particle (verb + particle).

This research is important to do because we can Understanding language evolution

Studying word formation allows us to trace the historical development of a language. By
analyzing the formation of new words, we can observe how languages adapt and respond to
changing contexts and societal needs, Word formation research helps to enrich our
vocabulary by identifying and classifying the different processes through which new words
are created. This can contribute to better communication and expression, as well as facilitate
language learning.

Five research about word formation previous research (the last 4 years)

The purpose of the research on word formation in news articles is to identify and analyze the
word formation processes found within the news. Several recent studies have focused on this
topic:
1. An Analysis of Word Formation in 2021 World Economic Forum Report: Morphological
Approach

- This study, conducted in 2021, aimed to analyze the word formation process from a report
published in January 2021. The research identified four main word formation processes:
compounding, derivation, borrowing, and acronyms, with derivation being the most prevalent
process

2. An Analysis of Word-Formation Process Found in Educational Articles of The Jakarta Post

Website

- Another study, completed in 2022, analyzed word-formation processes in educational

articles. It identified processes such as compounding, derivation, and multiple processes,
providing insights into the types of word formation found in the articles

3. Word Formation Process Found in Jokowi News of Jakarta Post Newspaper

- This study, conducted in 2020, aimed to investigate the word formation processes found
in news articles. It identified various processes such as conversion, acronym, and clipping,
contributing to the understanding of word formation in news contexts

4. A study analyzed the word formation processes used in business terms on the Antara News
website in Indonesia. The research identified five types of word formation: compounding,
borrowing, blending, clipping, and acronym

5. Another study analyzed the word formation processes used in medical terms in The
Jakarta Post's articles. The research found that compounding, borrowing, and derivation were
the most common processes used.

The news I have chosen is from the BBC, or British Broadcasting Corporation, which
is a British public broadcaster recognized globally as one of the leading providers of news,
information and entertainment. Founded in 1922, the BBC has become one of the largest and
most influential broadcasters in the world. The BBC provides radio, television and online
broadcast services, covering a wide range of genres from news and documentaries to drama
and entertainment. It is renowned for its commitment to the values of independent, accurate
and balanced journalism and for providing extensive coverage of world events. As a public
broadcaster, the BBC is funded by TV licenses paid by the citizens of the United Kingdom
and seeks to provide quality media services without significant political or commercial
influence.

Objectives of the research

The research on word formation in news aims to understand how the formation of
words in news contexts can affect readers' understanding and interpretation. By analyzing the
morphological structure and word formation in news, this study aims to identify word forms
in news, language change, and the use of special words in news. Through this research,
researchers can explore how the media produces and presents information by choosing
specific words. A further aim is to find certain patterns in word choice and phrase formation
that might influence readers' perception of the news. In addition, this research can provide
insight into how news writers use linguistic techniques to build a strong narrative or influence
public opinion. By understanding word formation in news stories, this research can contribute
to our understanding of media linguistics, and how language is used to create certain effects
on audiences. The results of this study can be useful for media practitioners, and society in
general to more critically understand the influence of language in the news context.

Method

This research used qualitative case study research design. This research requires
observation of the news to answer all questions. The research results are interpreted in detail
to provide an overview and explanation that are easier for readers to understand. The object
of this research is news, which will be researched regarding its word form or word formation.
Observation is used as an instrument to collect data. The writing in the news is analyzed to
determine the natural conditions for the formation of the words used in the writer's writing.
Finally, these writings are categorized based on the word-formation process.

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Findings
After doing the research, finally the researcher got the findings. From the BBC
news articles, it was found some types of word formation, in which the data can be
seen in the following table.
Table 1. Type of Word Formation in BBC News articles
No. Type of Word Formation Total of Data
1 Derivation 19
2 Inflection 44
3 Compound Word 7
4 Initialism 2
5 Acronym 1
Total 75

Discussion

Here are some explanation of the table above related to the types of word formation
and the processess of how they are formed.
Derivation is the process of word formation that creates new words so that it changes
the word class as well as the meaning. Here are the samples of the analysis.

Table 2. Derivational Process

No. English Words Types of Word Process of Word
Formation Formation
1 Developments (n) Derivation Develop + Suffix (-ment) (-
s)
2 Statement (n) Derivation State + Suffix ( -ment)
3 Addition (n) Derivation Add + Suffix (-tion)
4 Movement (n) Derivation Move + Suffix (-ment)
5 Leader (n) Derivation Lead + Suffix (-er)
Etc.

In the data number 1, it can be seen that the word Developments is derived from three
morphemes, they are Develop and suffix –ment, -s [develop + (-ment) (-s) = developments].
As we know that the word develop is a verb, so to make it becomes a noun, it is needed suffix
–ment, so that the word changes into development. In this case, suffix –ment has influence in
changing the class of word, it is a verb into a noun. Because the class of word is changed,
automatically the meaning of the word is also changed. And development is added suffix (-s)
[development + (-s)] because it is plural.

Data number 2 is also the sample of derivational process of word formation. The word
statement is derived from two morphemes, they are state + suffix –ment [state + (-ment) =
statement]. The word state is a noun, so suffix –ment that is joined with the word state makes
the meaning of the word is changed.

Another sample of derivational process can be seen in the data number 3. The word
addition is derived from the word add which is added with suffix –tion [add + (-tion) =
addition]. As we know that the word add is a verb, so to make it becomes a noun, it is needed
suffix –tion. Because of the change of the word class influenced by suffix –tion, it makes the
meaning of the word is also changed.

In the data number 4, the word movement is derived from the word move that is
added with suffix (-ment), so there are two morphemes contained in that word, they are move
+ (-ment) = movement. The word move is a verb, so suffix –ment that is joined with the word
move makes the class of the word is changed into a noun.

Then, in the data number 5, the word leader is derived from two morphemes, they are
[lead + (-er) = leader]. The word lead is known as a verb, so suffix –er that is added to word
lead makes the class of the word is changed into noun.

Table 3. Inflectional Process

No. English Words Types of Word Process of Word
Formation Formation
1 Hours (n) Inflection Hour + Suffix (-s)
2 Killed (v) Inflection Kill + Suffix (-ed)
3 Following (v) Inflection Follow + Suffix (-ing)
4 Months (n) Inflection Month + Suffix (-s)
5 Recorded (n) Inflection Record + Suffix (-ed)
Etc.
 In the data number 1, it can be seen that the word Hours is derived from two
morphemes, they are hour and suffix -s [hour + (-s) = hours]. As we know that the word hour
is a noun, it is needed suffix –s, so that the word changes into plural word. In this case, suffix
–s not changed the class of word and the meaning of word.

Data number 2 is also the sample of inflectional process of word formation. The word
killed is derived from two morphemes, they are kill + suffix –ed [kill + (-ed) = killed]. The
word kill is a verb. In the sentence used simple past so, it is needed suffix -ed. In this case,
suffix -ed not changing the word class or meaning of word.

Another sample of inflectional process can be seen in the data number 3. The word following
is derived from the word follow which is added with suffix –ing [follow + (-ing) =
following]. As we know that the word follow is a verb, so added suffix -ing not changing the
word class and thw mwaning of word because suffix -ing only about tenses, that is simple
present.

In the data number 4, it can be seen that the word Months is derived from two
morphemes, they are month and suffix -s [month + (-s) = hours]. As we know that the word
month is a noun, it is needed suffix –s, so that the word changes into plural word. In this case,
suffix –s not changed the class of word and the meaning of word.

Then, in the data number 5, the word recorded is derived from two morphemes, they
are [record + (-ed) = recorded]. The word record is known as a noun. In the sentence used
simple past so, it is needed suffix -ed. In this case, suffix -ed not changing the word class or
meaning of word.

Table 4.Compound Word Process

No. English Words Types of Word Process of Word
Formation Formation
1 Everything (n) Compound Word every (adj) + thing (n)
2 Gunmen (v) Compound Word Gun (n) + men (n)
3 Hostage (n) Compound Word Host (n) + age (n)
4 spokesman (n) Compound Word Spoke (n) + Suffix (-s) +
man (-n)
Etc.
 The data number 1 is one of the samples of compound word. The word everything is
the combination of two free morphemes; every (n) and thing (n). These two morphemes can
stand alone and have their own meaning. However, if they are combined together, they create
a new word and new meaning.

Next is the compound word in the data number 2. The words Gunmen are the
combination of two free morphemes; Gun (n) and men (n). These two morphemes can stand
alone and have their own meaning. However, if they are combined together, they create a
new word and new meaning.

In the data number 3, the words Hostage are the combination of two free morphemes;
Host (n) and age (n). These two morphemes can stand alone and have their own meaning.
Although host is an noun, but if combined together with a noun (age).

In the data number 4, the word spokesman is the combination of the words spoke (n),
and man (n). The word spoke is bound morpheme that can’t stand alone while the word man
is free morpheme that can stand alone and have their own meaning.

Table 5. initialism Process

No. Initialism Types of Word Process of Word Formation
Formation
1 BBC Initialism British Broadcasting Corporation
2 IDF Initialism Israel Defence Forces

In the data number 1, BBC is the initialism of British Broadcasting Corporation. It is called as
initialism because it is uttered letter by letter.
In the data number 2, IDF is the initialism of Israel Defence Forces. It is
called as initialism because it is uttered letter by letter. IDF is military forces of the state
israel

Table 5. Acronym Process

No. Acronym Types of Word Process of Word Formation
 Formation
1 HAMAS Acronym Harakat Al- Muqawama Al-
Islamiyah

In the data, HAMAS is the acronym of Harakat Al- Muqawama Al- Islamiyah. It is
called as acronym because it is uttered in the form of single word. HAMAS is a Palestinian
Political and military organization.

Conclusion
This journal describes the process of word formation in language. This study involves
understanding the morphological mechanisms used to create new words. There are Five kinds
of word formation found in BBC News articles, they are derivation, Inflection, compound,
acronym and initialism. In derivation process, there are 19 data found, In Inflection there are
44 data, in compound process there are 7 data. Besides, there are 1 data for acronym process,
and 2 data for initialism process.. From those word formation process, Inflection is the most
common found in the BBC News articles. Those word formation processes are included into
morphological analysis. In this study, the authors, who are also students of the Morphology
course, involve searching through several sources and media in collecting data on word
formation found in BBC news articles and analyzing them based on what they have learned
in the Morphology course.

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