My term paper will be about the differences between English and German V-N compounds. I will focus on endocentric compounds since German lacks exocentric V-N compounds. An example of an endocentric V-N compound that exists in both languages would be the English “driftwood” with its German counterpart “Treibholz”. It is interesting to investigate whether the differences between English and German endocentric V-N compounds may be caused by a general contrast between the two languages. By that, I mean the tighter (German) and looser (English) fit between form and function which was suggested by Hawkins (1986) as a general parameter of difference (Hawkins, 1986, p. 6). I will start by explaining basic terminology of V-N compounding and Hawkins’ approach. After the basic elements are clarified, I will turn to my research question: “What are the major differences between English and German endocentric V-N compounds, and can they be linked to Hawkins’ general parameter of difference?”. To answer this question, I will use a paper by Volker Gast from 2008, which is called “Verb-noun compounds in English and German”.
Table of Contents
- Abstract
- 1 Introduction
- 2 Review of Previous Research
- 2.1 Morphological Analysis of Compounds
- 2.2 Hawkins' Parameter of Difference between English and German: loose-fit/tight-fit
- 3 Research Question and Hypothesis
- 4 Study
- 4.1 Summary
- 4.2 Results
- 4.3 Discussion
- 5 Conclusion
- 6 References
Objectives and Key Themes
The objective of this term paper is to investigate the major differences between English and German endocentric verb-noun (V-N) compounds and to determine if these differences can be attributed to Hawkins' general parameter of difference, which posits a tighter fit between form and meaning in German compared to English. The paper focuses solely on endocentric compounds because German lacks exocentric V-N compounds.
- Morphological analysis of V-N compounds in English and German
- Comparison of endocentric compound structures in both languages
- Hawkins' parameter of difference: loose-fit vs. tight-fit
- Analysis of the productivity and distribution of V-N compounds
- Identification of key differences in the formation and usage of V-N compounds between English and German
Chapter Summaries
1 Introduction: This chapter introduces the topic of the differences between English and German verb-noun compounds, focusing on endocentric compounds due to the absence of exocentric V-N compounds in German. The author establishes the research question: "What are the major differences between English and German endocentric V-N compounds, and can they be linked to Hawkins' general parameter of difference?" The chapter also briefly discusses the complexity of compounding as a word-formation process and highlights the importance of understanding Hawkins' concept of a tighter (German) versus looser (English) fit between form and function as a potential explanation for observed differences. The author outlines the structure of the paper, promising to explain basic terminology and relevant previous research before presenting their own analysis. The introduction sets the stage for a comparative study focusing on structural and semantic divergences in V-N compounding between the two languages.
2 Review of Previous Research: This chapter delves into existing literature on compound morphology, focusing on the classification and analysis of compounds in English and German. Section 2.1, "Morphological Analysis of Compounds," explains various types of compounds (binary, recursive, synthetic, attributive, coordinate, subordinate) and the concept of headedness (endocentric and exocentric). It highlights the differences in the frequency of binary versus recursive compounds in the two languages and discusses the challenges in identifying the components of V-N compounds, particularly the debate on whether the first element should be categorized as a verb or a noun. Section 2.2 introduces Hawkins' parameter of difference, suggesting a tighter fit between form and meaning in German compared to English. This sets the theoretical groundwork for comparing the V-N compounds in both languages within the framework of Hawkins' hypothesis.
Keywords
Endocentric compounds, verb-noun compounds, English grammar, German grammar, contrastive linguistics, compounding, morphology, Hawkins' parameter, loose-fit, tight-fit, word-formation, morphological analysis.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview of English and German Verb-Noun Compounds
What is the main topic of this language preview?
This preview explores the key differences between English and German verb-noun (V-N) compounds, focusing specifically on endocentric compounds. It investigates whether these differences can be explained by Hawkins' parameter of difference, which suggests a tighter fit between form and meaning in German compared to English.
What are the objectives and key themes of the research?
The main objective is to analyze the major structural and semantic differences in endocentric V-N compounds between English and German. Key themes include morphological analysis of V-N compounds, comparison of endocentric compound structures, Hawkins' parameter of difference (loose-fit vs. tight-fit), analysis of compound productivity and distribution, and identification of key differences in formation and usage between the two languages.
What is Hawkins' parameter of difference, and how does it relate to this research?
Hawkins' parameter proposes that German exhibits a "tighter fit" between form and meaning in word formation compared to English, which has a "looser fit." This research uses Hawkins' parameter as a potential explanation for observed differences in the structure and usage of V-N compounds between the two languages.
What types of compounds are analyzed in this research?
The research focuses exclusively on endocentric verb-noun compounds. Exocentric V-N compounds are not considered because they are absent in German.
What are the key chapters and their summaries?
The preview includes summaries of the following chapters: Introduction: Introduces the research question and provides background information on compounding and Hawkins' parameter. Review of Previous Research: Discusses existing literature on compound morphology, focusing on different types of compounds and Hawkins' parameter. The preview also includes a table of contents and a list of keywords. The full text would further contain chapters detailing the study's methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
Key terms include endocentric compounds, verb-noun compounds, English grammar, German grammar, contrastive linguistics, compounding, morphology, Hawkins' parameter, loose-fit, tight-fit, word-formation, and morphological analysis.
What is the intended audience for this preview?
This preview is intended for academic use, providing a structured overview of the research for scholars interested in contrastive linguistics, morphology, and the study of compounding in English and German.
Where can I find the full research paper?
The full research paper is not included in this preview. This document provides only a comprehensive overview of the content and structure of the complete academic work.
- Quote paper
- Paula Habermann (Author), 2021, Differences between English and German Endocentric V-N Compounds, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1217829
