Derivation
and Inflection
A. DERIVATION
Derivation is the process of creating a new word out of one or more old words, either by adding a prefix or suffix or by compounding.
·
"Morphology may
be divided into derivation--rules
that form a new word out of old words, likeduckfeathers and unkissable--and inflection--rules that modify a word to fit
its role in a sentence, what language teachers call conjugation and declension."(Steven
Pinker, Words and Rules: The
Ingredients of Language. Basic Books, 1999)
·
"Derivational morphology studies the principles governing the
construction of new words, without reference to the specific grammatical role a
word might play in a sentence. In the formation of drinkable from drink,
or disinfect from infect, for example, we see the
formation of new words, each with its own grammatical properties. "(David Crystal, How Language Works. Overlook Press, 2005)
·
"Derivational prefixes do not normally alter the word class of the base word; that is,
a prefix is added to a noun to form a new noun with a different meaning.
a. patient: outpatient
b. group: subgroup
c. trial: retrial
·
Derivational suffixes, on the
other hand, usually change both the meaning and the word class; that is, a
suffix is often added to a verb or adjective to form a new noun with a
different meaning:
a. 
Adjective = dark darkness
Adjective = dark darkness
b. 
Verb = agree agreement
Verb = agree agreement
c. Noun = friend friendship"
Noun = friend friendship"
B. 
INFLECTION
INFLECTION
Inflection is a
process of word formation in which items are added to the base form of a word
to express grammatical meanings. Inflection in English include
· The
genitive ‘s
· The
plural –s
· The
third person singular –s
· The
past tense –d, -ed, or –t
· The
negative participle ‘nt: -ing forms of verb
· The
comparative –er
· The
superlative –est
Example
of Inflection
Book Books (plural marker)Write Writes (third person singular)Book Booked (past marker)Small Smaller / Smallest
(comparative/superlative)