Productive word-formation types of compound neologisms in the Lithuanian language
Productive word-formation types of compound neologisms in the Lithuanian language

Summary/Abstract: The article is dedicated to neologisms of the most productive word-formation types of nominal and adjectival compounds. The study is based on the data of the analysis of 355 compounds (244 nouns and 111 adjectives) of four word-formation types. The study of neologisms has showen that the sequence of the most productive types of nominal compounds (noun + noun, adjective + noun) remains the same as indicated in grammars. The most productive word-formation type, noun + noun, includes 70% of nominal neologisms. Thus, this word-formation type both in the past and present is the most productive. Nouns of both word-formation types meet the requirements of word-formation. Compounds are derived with an interfix (56%) and without it (44%). There remains a tendency to be based on base words of simple structure (78% of compounds are based on morphemically indivisible stems of base words). The sequence of the most productive types of adjectival compounds also remained the same: the most productive type is adjective + noun (85% of adjectival compounds), the second most productive type is noun + noun (15%). 89% of compounds have an interfix. 65% of compounds are based on base words with morphemically indivisible stems. All neologisms are based on the base words included in the dictionaries. The meanings of all neologisms become clear from a minimal or wider context. Productivity of the word-formation type and knowledge of analogical real compounds also help to understand the meaning of a compound. Many neologisms are words with a negative connotation, often they are names of persons.

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