Explain the concept of clipping.

Phonetics And Word Formation Questions Medium



35 Short 51 Medium 47 Long Answer Questions Question Index

Explain the concept of clipping.

Clipping is a process in word formation where a longer word is shortened by removing one or more syllables. This is done to create a shorter and more convenient form of the original word. Clipped words are often used in informal or colloquial language and can become part of everyday vocabulary.

There are different types of clipping, including back-clipping, fore-clipping, and middle-clipping. Back-clipping involves removing the end of a word, while fore-clipping involves removing the beginning. Middle-clipping, as the name suggests, involves removing a part of the word from the middle.

Clipped words often retain their original meaning, but they can also develop new meanings or associations over time. For example, "advertisement" is commonly clipped to "ad," "television" to "TV," and "mathematics" to "math." These clipped forms are widely recognized and used in various contexts.

Clipping is a productive word formation process, meaning that new clipped words can be created regularly. It allows for the creation of concise and easily recognizable forms, which can be particularly useful in informal communication, advertising, and branding.