a contrastive study of noun forming affixes in english and...

AL-USTATH Special issue of the international scientific conference ( 2016 M- 1437 e)

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A Contrastive Study of Noun Forming Affixes in English and

Arabic Morpheme: A Morphological Analysis

Israa' Rashed Mahdi Eltaif AL-Kubaisy

University of Anbar, College of Education for Humanities

Abstract :

This research is an attempt to explore a morphological phenomenon of noun forming

affixes in English and Arabic stems. This paper belongs to the morphological features

of English and Arabic languages. This paper compares between the construction of

words whether they are nouns, verbs and adjectives. This comparison involves certain

aspect which is morphological feature of English and Arabic respectively. This paper

focuses on the differentiated forming the nouns in two languages which are English and

Arabic.

So, derivational patterns commonly change the word class of the base lexeme i.e.,

nouns can be derived from verbs, adjectives or from another noun and so on. For such

cases, the terms denominal (noun derived from noun), deverbal (noun derived from a

verb) and deadjectival (noun derived from an adjective) are in general use.

1- Introduction

This paper belongs to the morphological features of English and Arabic

languages . This paper compares between the construction of words

whether they are nouns , verbs and adjectives . This comparison involves

certain discipline which is morphological tracts of English and Arabic

respectively .Its prefer to mention that, the obvious purpose of this paper is

to shed light on the differentiated forming the nouns in two languages

which are English and Arabic languages.

So, derivational patterns commonly change the word class of the base

lexeme i.e., nouns can be derived from verbs, adjectives or from another

noun and so on. For such cases, the terms denominal (noun derived from a

noun), deverbal (noun derived from a verb), and deadjectival (noun derived

from an adjective) are in general use. (Haspelmath, 2002: 68) . This paper

contains of four sections. The first one is about introduction , the second is

about noun forming affixes . The third is about diminutives and the four

gives us a conclusion .

2- Noun Forming Affix

Creating new words for new concepts is one of the chief functions of

derivational morphology, and since we have a greater need for naming


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diverse nominal concepts language generally have more means for deriving

nouns than for deriving verbs and adjectives (Haspelmath, 2002: 69).

2.1 Nouns Formed from Verbs

Morphological terms, it is called deverbal (noun derived from a verb).

Such as:

In English drink(V) drinker (N)

In Arabic Hamala (V) Hammaal (N) (Carrier)

In English Kill (V) Killer (N)

In other words, its constantly construction of verb from noun as explained

with following table

Deverbal nouns (V N)

Drinker (N) Drink (V) English Agent noun

Kaatib (N) Kataba (V) Arabic /

Writer Write /

Invit-ee (N) Invite (V) English Patient noun

Pica-dorn (N)

Meat grinder

Picar (V)

"mince"

Spanish Instrument

Noun

Otkry-tie (N)

Discovery

Otkry-t (V)

Discover

Russian Action noun

(Haspelmath, 2002: 69 & McCarthy, 1992: 47).

A. The suffix ( __ age), changes that part of speech of the base, so, it is

derivational suffix. Such as: break (V) breakage (N),Coin (V)

Coinage (N), band (V) bandage (N) and so on. So, the verbs break,

band and coin derived to nouns by adding the suffix( __ age), but it is

difficult to sort out any fixed change in meaning or even a small set of

meaning changes. (Laurie, 2003: 15). While, in Arabic, such as the verb /

zawaga / (V) (marry) derived to noun / zawaaj / (marriage) so, the root for /

zawaga / is (z – w – j) while a noun derived from this verb is / zawaaj /

(marriage) so, (a – a) is affix.( Hamlawi ,2000: 78 ) .

B. Some verbs are made nouns by the agent suffix /er/, /or/, /ar/


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Such as:

Wait (V) waiter (N)

Play (V) player (N)

Drive (V) driver (N)

Employ (V) employer (N)

Buy (V) buyer (N)

Act (V) actor (N)

Lie (V) liar (N)

So, the verbs such as , drive, employ, buy, act , lie, wait and play are

changed into nouns by adding the suffixes –er, -or, -ar). The suffix –er such

as paint (V) painter (N), sing (V) singer (N), grind (V)

grinder (N), is the most generally used for forming nouns denoting a person

performing the action of the corresponding verb i.e., agent nouns, while the

suffix –er in a noun such as: digger is more likely to denote a piece of

machinery than a person, and we have already encountered –er in such

Londoner to refer to nationality (Andrew, 2003: 52 & Katamba, 1993: 45).

Also, the suffix( –er) turns to the verb into an instrumental noun referring

to an inanimate entity such as rub (V) rubber (N). (Katamba,

2006: 128). While, In Arabic, the root for "write" is "k-t-b" and a noun

derived from this verb is "kaatib" (writer), so, (a-a-i) is affix. (Victoria,

2011: 86 ) Another example,

Mathla) (V) (Mumathl) (N) )

Act) (V) (actor) (N))

The root for (Mathla) (act) is (M-th-l) and a noun derived from this verb is

(Mumathl) So, (u-m-a) is affix.( Mahlawi , 2000).

C. (-ance), the prescribed suffix is used to form many nouns such as

Commit (V) committance (N)

Convey (V) conveyance (N)

Perform (V) performance (N)

ignore (V) ignorance (N) and so on.

The verbs commit, convey, perform and ignore are derived into nouns by

adding the suffix (–ance). So, the suffix (–ance) has formed abstract nouns.


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(i.e., abstract nouns refer to unobservable notion).(Andrew, 2002: 52 &

Crystal, 2003: 209) . In Arabic, the root for (dharaba) (beat) is (dh-r-b) and

a noun derived from this verb is (dharb)( beating ) .So , (a) is aa

suffix( Hamlawi , 2000:68).

D. There are a number of certain nouns which are derived from the verbs

by adding the suffix (-ence) such as refer (V) reference (N). The

suffix (-ence) has formed abstract nouns such as converge (V)

convergence (N). (Andrew, 2002: 52).In Arabic the root for /raja'a/ (refer)

is (R-j-a) and a noun derived from this verb is /Muraja'a/ (reference)

Hamlawi,2000:52) (Olu Tomori, 1977:35 & so, /mua/ is affix

E. (-ment), this suffix is added into the form of verbs to make abstract

nouns such as:

Develop (V) development (N)

improve (V) improvement (N)

govern (V) government (N)

manage (V) management (N)

commit (V) commitment (N)

So, the verbs develop, improve, govern, manage and commit derived to

nouns such as development, improvement, government, management,

commitment by adding the suffix (-ment). (Andrew, 2002: 52). While, In

Arabic, the root for / kama/ (stand) is (k-m) and noun derived from this

verb is /ekama/ (establishing) so, (e-a-a) is suffix.(Hamlawi , 2000:74 ) .

F. The suffix (-al) is used to build nouns from verbs such as

Arrive (V) arrival (N). The suffix (-al) is used to form abstract noun

meaning activity but it is certainly not freely interchangeable, for example,

commit (V) committal (N).

It is true that some verbs allow a choice of suffixes e.g. commit

committal, but the nouns thus formed are not synonyms i.e., commit

an accused person for trial. Sometimes a noun's meaning may even be quite

for removed from that of the corresponding verb: [refuse and refusal]

means a knowledge not deliberate. (Andrew, 2002: 52). In Arabic, the root

for /rafadha/ (refuse) is /R-f-dh) and a noun derived from this verb is

/rafdh/ (refusal). So, (a , a ) is affix,( i . e , , infix) ( Hamlawi , 2000:68 ) .


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G. The suffix (-ing) is used to form nouns from a number of verbs such

as, play (V) playing (N). (Andrew, 2002: 52). Some morphemes

occur only as suffixes, following other morphemes. English examples of

suffix morphemes are (-ing) e.g.Climb (V) climbing (N)

Eat (V) eating (N) (Victoria, 2007: 79)

The –ing nouns may have semantic and grammatical idiosyncrasies, for

example, one can look at a painting or a building, but one listen to a song

rather than to a singing. (Andrew, 2002: 52). While , in Arabic, the root for

/rakasa/ (dance) is (R-k-s) and a noun derived from this verb is /raks/

(dancing). So, (a) is infix.( Hamlawi , 2000:68 ) .

H. (-sion / -tion), both of these suffixes are used to form nouns from

numerous verbs such as

Contract (V) contraction (N)

organize (V) organisation (N)

confuse (V) confusion (N)

commit (V) commission (N)

(Andrew, 2002: 52).Whereas , in Arabic, the noun /sahula/ (smoothness) is

derived from verb /sohula/ (to be smooth ) (Wright, 2002: 113) )

I. The suffix (-ster) is used to change the particular verbs into nouns such

as trick (V) trickster. While , in Arabic, the (N-s-r) is a root for

(nasara) and a noun derived from this verb is /nasr/ ( victory ) . So (a) is

affix ( Hamlawi , 2000:68 ) .

2.2 Nouns derived from other nouns

From the morphological point of view, there are also nouns which are

derived from nouns too (i.e., denominal nouns).The following table will

illustrate this point Denominal nouns ( N N)

Gat-o gat-it-o

"cat" "little cat"

Spanish diminutive

Borod-a borod-isca

"beard" 'huge beard'

Russian Augmentative noun

Child child-hood English Status noun


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Misr misr-iyyu

"Egypt" "Egyptian"

Arabic Inhabitant noun

Konig konig-in

"king" queen

German Female noun

Mark means change into verbs into nouns. (Haspelmath, 2002: 69).

We can derived noun from another noun by add suffix to the stem such as

(-cy) as in advocacy, (-dom) as in kingdom,( -er) as in liner,( -ess) as in

hostess,( -hood) as in fatherhood,( -ian) as in librarian, ( -ism ) as in

gangsterism,( -ist) as in physicist,( -ship) as in friendship or ( –ster) as in

gangster. (Victoria, 2011: 89).

Addition of ( –ian) , ( -er) mean inhabitant of X e.g. Londener, New

Yourker, addition of –ship, -hood mean state of being an X e.g. kingship,

ladyship, motherhood and( –ist),( -ian) mean devotee of or expert an X e.g.

historian, Marxist, logician. (Andrew, 202: 50).When a new word enters

the lexicon by the application of morphological rules, other complex

derivations may be blocked for example, when commun+ist entered the

language, word such as commun+ian was blocked. Sometimes, however,

alternative forms do coexist such as Chomskyan, and Chomskyist or

Semanticist and Semantician are both used. (Victoria, 2011: 89)

A. The suffix (-cy), is used to change abstract noun (i.e., unobservable

notions such as idea) into the other nouns such as consistency, adjacency.

While ,in Arabic, the noun/mujawra/ (neighboring) can derived into

another noun such as /jiwar/ (neighborhood)( Hamlaawi , 2000: 104 ) .

B. The suffix (-dom) is used at the ed of the certain words in order to

change them into noun. It is used to derived an abstract nouns

Such as, ster (N) stardom (N). Whereas , in Arabic, we can derived

noun from another noun such as the noun /malik/ ( king ) derived to

another noun such as /mamlaka/ ( kingdom ). the change happens in infix (

Hamlawi , 2000: 104 ) .

C. (-er), there are two kinds of the suffix (-er) the first one is used to

make noun from verbs such as play (V) player ( N ) .

The second one is used to derived nouns from another nouns build.

So, the second one the suffix –er is used to derived a concrete nouns (i.e.,

concrete nouns refer to entities which can be observed and measured such


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as book), such as line (N) liner (N). While, In Arabic, the noun

/hafadh/ (preserved) can be derived from another noun /hifdh/

(memorizing) into (mahfudha)( memorized material) ( Hamlawi ,

2000:104) .

D. The suffix (-age) is used in this group to change into nouns

Such as Front (N) Frontage (N). It is used to build an abstract nouns

such as mile (N) mileage (N). Whereas , in Arabic, the noun /hamed/

(thank ) is derived from the noun /mahmeda/ ( laudable deed )

(praiseworthy ) by changing in affix.

E. (-ing), this particular suffix is used to form nouns from its root. It is used

to derived an abstract noun such as : farm farming. Whereas ,in

Arabic, the noun /zara'/ (plant ) is derived from another noun /mazra'a/

(farm).

F. The suffix (-ery) forms nouns from the basic ones, such as, slave (N )

slavery (N). It is considered an abstract-noun markers such as drudge

(N) drudgery (N). While , in Arabic , / kaatib / ( writer ) is derived from

another noun / kitaba / ( writing ) .

G. (-ess), the particular suffix is used to form nouns from the basic ones

such as host (N) hostess (N). Also, it is used to form a concrete-noun

such as, waitress, (Olu Tomori, 2002: 35). While , in Arabic, the noun

/mutenazh/ (park) is derived from (nuzha) (picnic) ( Hamlawi ,2000: 104) .

H. (-ian), this suffix is used to form certain noun as in the following words

Music (N) musician (N)

library (N) librarian (N)

While , in Arabic, the noun /tarikhi/ (historian) is derived from /tarikh/

(history) the base to which (–ian) is attached historian can be regarded as

the same as the free allomorph history. (Andrew, 2002: 50)

I. The suffix (-hood) is used to form abstract nouns from the basic

nouns.

Such as

Girl (N) girlhood (N)

Brother (N) brotherhood (N)

Father (N) fatherhood (N)


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While , in Arabic, the noun /ikhwa/ (brotherhood) is derived from the basic

one /akh/ (brother).

J. (-ism), this suffix is used to form abstract noun from others such as

Social (N) socialism (N)

gangsterism (N) gangsterism (N)

It is used to build an abstract noun such as ideal idealism. While ,

in Arabic, the noun /islamia/ is derived from another noun /islam/.

K. (-ist), the particular suffix is formed nouns, especially that refer to

jobs as in the following examples

Tour (N) tourist (N)

Physic (N) physicist (N)

Some morphemes occur only as suffix, following other morphemes.

English examples of suffix morphemes are–ist e.g. copy copyist,

type typist, novel novelist. (Victoria, 2007: 79).Whereas ,

In Arabic, the noun /sahafi/ (Journalist) is derived from the noun /sahifa/

(Journal)( Hamlawi , 2000: 103 ) .

L. (-ship), this one is used in order to change from basic nouns into the

nouns. It is used to form abstract noun such as

Friend (N) friendship (N)

Leader (N) leadership (N)

While , in Arabic, the noun /rifka/ (friendship) is built or derived from

other noun /rafik/ (friend).

M. (-ster), it's different from the suffix of verb, this suffix is used to form

concrete noun from its bases.

Such as gang (N) gangster (N)

In Arabic, the noun /ibada/ (worship) forms another noun such as /abed/

(worshipper ) is derived or changed into another noun such as (ibada) .

(Wright, 2002: 111).


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2.3 Noun derived from adjectives

Morphologically, the term "Deadjectival nouns" is used to form or

derive noun from adjective. We can add suffixes as a derivational

morpheme that can be used to derive nouns from adjectives such as

excellent (A) excellence (N), small (A) smallness (N). (Yule,

2006: 68). Derived adjectives are even less common than derived verbs,

because adjectives are used more rarely than verbs, let alone nouns.

Deadjectival nouns (A N)

Atarasi-sa (N)

"newness"

Atarasi-I (A)

"new"

Japanese quality noun

Umni K (N)

"smart guy"

Umn-yj (A)

"smart"

Russian person noun

(Haspelmath, 2002: 69).

Some suffixes used to derive nouns from adjectives such as( –ity) e.g.

purity, equality, sensitivity or –ness e.g. goodness, tallness, sensitiveness

or( –ism) e.g. radicalism, conservatism. (Andrew, 2002: 52)

A. The suffix (-ce) is used to derive nouns from adjectives, such as

Excellent (Adj.) excellence (N)

Abundant (Adj.) abundance (N)

Innocent (Adj.) innocence (N)

The noun /Mushriq/ ( bright ) is derived from the adjective (Mishraq) ( to

be bright ) ( to be gleam ) .

B. We can derive nouns from adjectives by adding the suffix (-cy) such

as consistent (adj.) consistency (N).(Olu Tomori, 1977: 35).

In Arabic, the noun /muhaawara/ (conversation) derived from adjective

/muhaawir/ ( converser ) ( Hamlawi , 2000 ) .

C. (-ity), this suffix is used to derive nouns from adjectives such as

feasible (adj.) feasibility (N)

depraved (ad.) depravity (N)

(Olu Tomori, 1977: 35) . Aronoff (1976) recalls that –ity attaches to

adjective bases to form abstract noun such as, sincerity , saity , vanity ,

inanity and extremity . (Katamba, 2006: 97) .In Arabic, the noun /maktoob/


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(written) is derived from /kaatib/ (writer). Another example, the adjective

derives to noun such as the adj. /khadim/ (servant) to noun /khidma/

(service)(Wright, 2002: 131).

D. (-ness), this suffix is added into the form of adjectives to make quality

nouns such as

glad (adj.) gladness (N)

sad (adj.) sadness (N)

Remote (adj.) remoteness (N)

It is the most widely applicable and the gread majority of nouns formed

with it such as good (Adj.) goodness (N), tell (Adj.) tallness (N)

(Andrew, 2002: 52). We can add a suffix and we get a noun e.g. like

Big (adj.) bigness (N), small (adj.) smallness (N) and bad

(adj.) badness (N) (Yule, 2006: 68). In Arabic, the noun /maradh/

(sickness) derived from the adjective /maridh/ (sick)(Wright, 2002: 113).

E. (-ster), it's different from the suffix of verbs and nouns, this suffix is

used to form nouns from adjectives such as

young (adj.) youngster (N)(Olu Tomori, 1977: 35)

In Arabic, the noun /karama/ ( dignity ) is derived from the adjective

/kareem/ ( generious ) . or /faseeh/ ( eloquent ) adjective to noun /fasaha/ (

eloquence ) (Wright, 2002: 111) .

F. (-hood), we can add a suffix and we get a noun such as

likely (adj.) likelihood (N) and false (adj.) falsehood (N).

In Arabic, the noun /mathkera/ ( memorandum ) from the adjective

/mithkar/ ( intelligent ) (Wright, 2002: 129)

G. (-th), this suffix is used to derive noun from adjective such as

long (adj.) length (N)

wide (adj.) width (N).

In Arabic, the noun /bareq/ (gleam) forms from adjective /bareeq/

(sheen)(Wright, 202: 113).


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2.4 Diminutives, a number of bound morphemes are used to show

diminutive forms in English and it doesn't change word class.

A. The suffix (-let) is used at the end of noun to indicate a small of

something such as

In English, for example, book booklet (means a small book)

brace bracelet (-small brace).

In Arabic, /darahim/( coin ) /duraihima/, ( small coin )

and /ghilman/( boy ) /ghulaimeen/( a small boy ) , / dinar / ( coin)

/dunaineer/ ( a small coin ) ( Hamlawi , 2000: 53 ) .

B. (-ock), this suffix is used at the end of noun to indicate minimization

or diminution such as

In English, hill hillock (a small hill).

In Arabic, /jabal/ (mountain) /jubaiel/ (a small mountain)

Olu Tomori, 1977: 35 &Hamlawi , 0222 : 53).

C. (-ling), this suffix is attached to noun to indicate reduction, lessening,

decreasing such as . In English, duck duckling (means a small

duck). goose gosling (- a small goose).While in Arabic, /asfoor/

(bird) /usaefir/ (a small bird).

D. (-ette), this suffix is attached to noun to refer to the smallest one such

as Laundry launderette ( a small laundry)

Kitchen kitchenette (a small kitchen)

In English cigar cigarette (means a small cigar).(Katamba,

2006: 227). In Arabic, /shajara/ (tree) /shujaira/ (a small tree)

(Olu Tomori, 1977: 35)& Hamlawi , 2000 : 68).

In English, pig piggy (a small pig)

dog doggy (a small dog)

In Arabic,

/ta'am/ (food) /tua'aem/ (a simple food)


34

/jadwal/ (a brook) /judael/ (a small brook)

/asa/ (stick) /usaia/ (a small stick)

/ghulam/ (boy) /ghulaim/ (a smallboy)

/sana/ (year) /sunaia/ (a small year)

/fem/ (mouth) /fouia/ (a small mouth)

/hamid/ /humaid/

(Wright, 2002: 172 and 174).

3. Conclusion

To sum up what had been mentioned before , the convenient goal of the

paper has been sufficed . The comparison becomes clear now . The

morphological features of both languages have been noticed . Thus , each

language has its own morphological features . It concludes that nouns can

form from verbs (i.e., deverbal) such as /la'aba/ (play) is a verb derived to a

noun /lae'eb/ (player).

Also, the nouns can derived from adjectives (i.e., deadjectival) such as,

the adjective /sa'aed/ (happy) is derived to a noun /sa'ada/ (happiness),

nouns can be derived from other nouns (i.e., denominal) such as, /najar/

(carpenter) is a noun derived to another noun /nijara/ (carpentry), then we

have diminutive nouns (i.e., the diminutive nouns formed from a trilateral

nouns such as,

In English book (kitaab) booklet (kutaib) (means a small book)

While in Arabic, such as,

/masjid/ (mosque) /musaijid/ (a small mosque).


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References:

1. Crystal. (2003), The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language, 2nd

ed.,

USA, Cambridge University Press.

2. Ahmed . ( 2000 ) . Shatha Alurf Fi Fan Alsarf . ( 2nd

ed ) . Hamlawi ,

3. Iraq : Jama'at Mosul .

4. Haspelmath, Martin. (2002), Understanding Morphology. America: Oxford

University Press INC.

5. Katamba, Francis & Stonham. (2006), Morphology. (2nd

ed. USA.

6. Mc Carthy, Carstairs. (1992), Current Morphology. USA.

7. ------------. (2002), An Introduction to English Morphology(words and their

structure). Edinburgh University Press Ltd.

8. Olu Tomori. (1977), The Morphology and Syntax of Present-day English (An

Introduction). London: Heinemann Educational Books Ltd.

9. Victoria etal. (2007). An Introduction to Language. 8th

ed. USA.

10. ----------- . (2011), An Introduction to Language. 9th

ed. USA.

11. Wright W. (2002), A Grammar of the Arabic Language. (1st ed.) India: Anmol

Publications PVT. Ltd. \

12. Yule, George. (2006), The Study of Language. (3rd

ed. UK. Cambridge

University Press.


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كيل لواحق االسماء بالمغتين العربية واإلنجميزيةلتش مقارنةدراسة

تحميل صرفي م.م. أسراء راشد مهدي

بية لمعموم اإلنسانيةجامعة االنبار/ كمية التر

:صخمالم

اللغة االتسم في كاشل اللواحق الكي من اشلية ظاهرةتسكشاا هو محاولة ال هذا البحث هذا البحث العربيةللغة اإلنجليزية و الاشلية هذا البحث إلى الميزات كنكمي .العربية و اإلنجليزيةعلى هذه المقارنة وكنطوي .والصفاتل ، واألفعااألتسماء تسواء شانت من الشلمات البناء بين يقارن

ويرشز هذا البحث على الكوالي.العربية للغة اإلنجليزية و المورفولوجية ميزاتالم ومنها جوانب معينة االاكقاقية، وأنماط العربية واإلنجليزية لذلك والكي هي لغكين في األتسماء كاشيل في االخكال على، والصفات األفعال من أن كتسكمد يمشنحيث األتسماء اتساس الشلمة أي من شلمةال جزء كغيير عادة deverbal اتسم من ماكق اتسمdenominal حيث الحاالت، لمثل هذه .الى أخره آخر اتسم من أو .في االتسكخدام العامهي صفة من ماكق اتسم deadjectivalالفعل ماكق من اتسم

a contrastive study of noun forming affixes in english and...

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