Word Formation Questions Long
Back-formation is a process in word formation where a new word is created by removing what appears to be an affix from an existing word. This process involves the creation of a new word by reversing the morphological process of affixation.
The process of back-formation typically occurs when speakers of a language mistakenly analyze a word as being derived from another word with an affix, when in fact the reverse is true. This can happen when a word is borrowed from another language or when a word undergoes semantic change over time.
To illustrate this process, let's consider the example of the word "editor." The word "editor" is derived from the noun "edit" through the addition of the suffix "-or." However, speakers may mistakenly analyze "editor" as the base word and "edit" as a derived form. As a result, they create a new verb "to edit" through the process of back-formation.
Another example is the word "televise." The verb "televise" is derived from the noun "television" through the addition of the suffix "-ize." However, speakers may mistakenly analyze "televise" as the base word and create a new noun "television" through back-formation.
The process of back-formation can also occur when speakers of a language create a new word by removing what appears to be a derivational affix from an existing word. For example, the noun "babysitter" is derived from the verb "babysit" through the addition of the suffix "-er." However, speakers may mistakenly analyze "babysitter" as the base word and create a new verb "to babysit" through back-formation.
In summary, back-formation is a process in word formation where a new word is created by removing what appears to be an affix from an existing word. This process can occur when speakers mistakenly analyze a word as being derived from another word with an affix, leading to the creation of a new word through the reversal of the morphological process of affixation.