Compounding

Definition

Compounding is a concatenative process which involves the combination of two roots or stems together to form a new word.

In Halkomelem, compounding seems very rare or almost non-existent. (Suttles, 2004, p. 23)

In contrast, Secwepemctsín has instances of compounding, but they are almost always incorporative. (Gibson, 1973, p. 38) Therefore, the language does not really have clear examples of non-incorporative compounds in which the two roots/stems stay unchanged.

Examples

Example in the Secwepemctsín Context of Compounding of Roots ‘want’ and ‘food’ (Gibson, 1973, p. 39)

In Halkomelem, the word sx̌ə́x̌əłnet ‘Sunday, week’ is formed with the linking element -ł-, which may be interpreted as a redaction of -aʔł ‘attributive’, and nét ‘become night’. sx̌ə́x̌əłnet demonstrates a Western-influence on the conception of time and a contemporary origin and as a result may be identified as either a compound or as a new lexical suffix. (Suttles, 2004, p. 288)

References

Gibson, J. A. (1973). Shuswap grammatical structure. [Doctoral dissertation, The University of Hawaii].

Suttles, W. (2004). Musqueum reference grammar. UBC Press. SFU Student Access.