In:Introducing Chinese Linguistics: A handbook for Chinese language teachers and learners
Hang Zhang and Lan Zhang
[Studies in Chinese Language and Discourse 16] 2022
► pp. 87–128
Chapter 4Chinese morphology
Published online: 14 December 2022
https://doi.org/10.1075/scld.16.c4
https://doi.org/10.1075/scld.16.c4
Abstract
Words are the fundamental building blocks of language as
they constitute a major component of grammar. Morphology is the
study of words and word-formation processes. Vocabulary acquisition plays a
fundamental role in language acquisition for enhancing a learner’s language
development. A rudimentary understanding of morphology will strengthen an L2
learner’s ability to decode word structures, recognize word-formations, and
study vocabulary.
This chapter consists of five sections. After reviewing
basic morphology terms and concepts in Section 4.1, Sections 4.2–4.4 will
delve deeper into Chinese morphology, exploring the internal structure of
Chinese words and rules for how words are formed, including compounding,
affixation and reduplication. At the end of the chapter, we will discuss
research findings and its implications regarding L2 acquisition of Mandarin
Chinese vocabulary, pedagogical suggestions, and learning strategies.
Article outline
- 4.1Basic concepts in morphology
- 4.1.1Knowledge of words
- 4.1.2Morphemes: The minimal units of meaning
- 4.2Morphological process: Compounding
- 4.2.1Common types of compounds
- 4.2.2Difficulties in learning Verb-Object compounds
- 4.2.2.1Taking a direct object
- 4.2.2.2Separation of V-O constituents
- 4.3Morphological process: Affixation
- 4.3.1Derivational affixes
- 4.3.1.1Prefixes
- 4.3.1.2Infixes
- 4.3.1.3Suffixes
- 4.3.2Inflection-like morphemes
- 4.3.1Derivational affixes
- 4.4Morphological process: Reduplication
- 4.4.1Reduplication of volitional verbs
- 4.4.2Reduplication of adjectives
- 4.4.3Reduplication of measure words (classifiers) and kinship terms
- 4.5Second language acquisition of Chinese vocabulary
- 4.5.1Approaches of L2 vocabulary development
- 4.5.1.1Aspects of vocabulary for L2 acquisition
- 4.5.1.2Several issues in the L2 Chinese vocabulary development
- 4.5.2Teaching Chinese vocabulary
- 4.5.3Learning strategies of vocabulary
- 4.5.1Approaches of L2 vocabulary development
- Exercises
Notes Further readings
