Back formation definitions
| Word backwards | kcab noitamrof |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | Noun |
| Syllabic division | back-for-ma-tion |
| Plural | The plural of the word "back formation" is "back formations." |
| Total letters | 13 |
| Vogais (3) | a,o,i |
| Consonants (8) | b,c,k,f,r,m,t,n |
Back formation is a linguistic process in which a new word is created by removing an affix from an existing word. This process often occurs when people mistakenly identify a suffix or prefix in a word and then create a new word by removing it. This results in the formation of a new word that appears to be the root form of the original word, hence the term "back formation."
One of the most common examples of back formation is the word "burgle," which was formed by removing the suffix "-ar" from the word "burglar." In this case, people mistakenly identified "burglar" as the root form of the word and created the new word "burgle" by removing the "-ar" suffix.
Origin of Back Formation
The process of back formation has been documented in various languages throughout history. It is believed to have originated in English in the 19th century, although similar processes have been observed in other languages as well. Back formation is often a result of linguistic reanalysis, where speakers reinterpret the structure of a word and create a new word based on that interpretation.
Examples of Back Formation
Back formation is a common phenomenon in English, and there are numerous examples of back-formed words in the language. Some examples include "editor" from "editorial," "televise" from "television," and "donate" from "donation." In each of these cases, a new word was created by removing a suffix from an existing word.
Implications of Back Formation
Back formation can lead to the creation of new words in a language, expanding its vocabulary and allowing for more creative expression. However, it can also lead to confusion and misunderstandings, as back-formed words may not always follow standard linguistic rules. Despite this, back formation remains a common and natural process in language evolution.
In conclusion, back formation is a fascinating linguistic process that demonstrates the dynamic nature of language. By creating new words through the removal of affixes, back formation contributes to the richness and diversity of vocabulary in a language.
Back formation Examples
- Edit was back-formed from editor.
- Burgle was back-formed from burglar.
- Televise was back-formed from television.
- Innovate was back-formed from innovation.
- Donate was back-formed from donation.
- Resurrect was back-formed from resurrection.
- Architect was back-formed from architecture.
- Telescope was back-formed from telescopic.
- Diagnose was back-formed from diagnosis.
- Elaborate was back-formed from elaboration.