M+S L5)Morphology and Syntax Lecture 5: Hypotheses & Ambiguity

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What is the main goal of the lecture on Morphology and Syntax?

To understand the concept of blocking in word formation

To figure out how the mental lexicon is encoded in the mind (correct)

To explore the concept of ambiguity in language

To analyze the factors that affect word formation

What is the phenomenon where an existing word prevents the formation of a new word with the same meaning?

Transparency

Bound Base Frequency

Blocking (correct)

Usefulness

What is the term for the process of changing the stress pattern of a word when forming a new word?

Transparency (correct)

Consonant Change

Blocking

Stress Shift

What is the suffix that is used to form words that have a style or quality of a particular thing?

-esque Signup and view all the answers

What is the paradox where the interpretation of a word seems to conflict with its internal structure?

Bracketing Paradox Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the internalized dictionary of words that we understand and can produce?

Mental Lexicon Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary cause of the Bracketing Paradox in morphology?

The conflicting semantic and phonological organizations of a word Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following examples illustrates Affixal Polysemy?

The suffix -ee in 'employee' and 'standee' Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the person who undergoes or is subject to the action denoted by the base verb in a patient noun?

Patient Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Whitewashed and Nuclear Physicist examples in the context of Bracketing Paradox?

They are examples of morphological ambiguity Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the meanings of the suffix -er in 'happier' and 'unhappier'?

They are related but distinct Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of word formation rules in the mental lexicon?

to create new words and understand them Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the blocking hypothesis in word formation?

to prevent the derivation of another word with the same meaning as an existing word Signup and view all the answers

How does the transparency factor influence word formation?

through changes in stress, consonant, or meaning Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the bound base frequency factor in word formation?

it influences the formation of words with suffixes like -esque Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the usefulness factor in word formation?

it affects the formation of words like stewardess and manageress due to feminism Signup and view all the answers

What is the bracketing paradox an example of in linguistic theory?

an ambiguity in the interpretation of a word's internal structure Signup and view all the answers

How does the bracketing paradox in 'unhappier' reflect the tension between semantic and phonological organization?

The bracketing paradox reflects the tension between semantic and phonological organization, as 'unhappier' can be bracketed as [un[happy]]er, which reflects the semantic organization, or [un[happy]er], which reflects the phonological organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the suffix -ee in terms of affixal polysemy, and how does it relate to patient nouns?

The suffix -ee exhibits affixal polysemy, as it can form patient nouns (e.g., employee), but also has other meanings (e.g., standee). Signup and view all the answers

How do the examples of 'whitewashed' and 'nuclear physicist' illustrate the bracketing paradox, and what do they reveal about linguistic structure?

The examples of 'whitewashed' and 'nuclear physicist' illustrate the bracketing paradox, as they can be parsed in different ways, revealing the complexity of linguistic structure and the tension between semantic and phonological organization. Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the meanings of the suffix -er in 'happier' and 'unhappier', and how does it relate to affixal polysemy?

The suffix -er has different meanings in 'happier' and 'unhappier', illustrating affixal polysemy, where a single affix has multiple related meanings. Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of affixal polysemy relate to the notion of linguistic productivity, and what implications does it have for language acquisition?

Affixal polysemy relates to linguistic productivity, as it highlights the complexity of linguistic meaning and the multiple functions of affixes, which has implications for language acquisition and the development of linguistic competence. Signup and view all the answers