The derivational paradigm of Old English. Alternations, recursivity and mismatches of formations based on strong verbs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7764//onomazein.37.05Keywords:
Old English, word formation, alternations, recursivity, mismatch form-meaningAbstract
This article deals with the formation of nouns, adjectives, and verbs based on strong verbs
in Old English. From the methodological point of view, the role of the strong verb in lexical
derivation is stressed. On the descriptive side, the derivation based on the seven classes of
strong verbs is analized in detail, including the processes of zero derivation, prefixation, and
suffixation, as well as the formation involving different vocalic grades, the alternations that
hold with respect to derivatives, and recursive formations. The main conclusion of the article
is that alternations and mismatches cause opaqueness in derivational morphology and,
consequently, they may have contributed to the radical change that derivation eventually
underwent