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In:Extravagant Morphology: Studies in rule-bending, pattern-extending and theory-challenging morphology
Edited by Matthias Eitelmann and Dagmar Haumann
[Studies in Language Companion Series 223] 2022
► pp. 155–180

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Extravagant expressions denoting quite normal entities

Identical constituent compounds in German

 | University of Leipzig
Published online: 16 March 2022
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https://doi.org/10.1075/slcs.223.07fra
Abstract
Identical constituent compounds (ICCs) are a prototypical example of extravagant morphology. They violate several constraints and rules of German word formation. Speakers use these violations systematically to highlight specific semantic characteristics of the base noun. Mädchenmädchen ‘girl girl’, for instance, refers to a stereotypical girl. So far, the formal features and the usage of these formations have not been described empirically. This study is based on large corpus data to make reliable predictions about features like linking elements, inflectional behaviour, and the spelling of German ICCs. Furthermore, it investigates which strategies speakers use to make sure that the hearer understands what (in most cases) constitutes a newly formed word.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Previous research on German Prot-ICCs
  • 3.The distinction between Prot-ICCs and Det-ICCs
  • 4.Methods
    • 4.1Corpora
    • 4.2Query and coding
  • 5.Results
    • 5.1Data distribution
    • 5.2Formal features and word length
    • 5.3Spelling
    • 5.4Context analysis
    • 5.5Date of attestation
  • 6.Discussion
    • 6.1Formal features and spelling
    • 6.2Contextual aspects
    • 6.3The emergence of Prot-ICC formation
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Notes
  • References
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