Meaning Predictability in Word Formation: Novel, Context-Free Naming Units (Studies in Functional and Structural Linguistics)

Hardcover, xxii + 288 pages, NOT ex-library. ISBN 9027215634 [EUR] / 1588116336 [US]. Fine interior, book is clean and bright throughout with unmarked text, free of inscriptions and stamps, firmly bound. Boards show gentle handling wear. Issued without a dust jacket. -- Contents: 1 Literature Survey [General; Morphological Tradition (Lees; Levi; Van Lint; Zimmer; Downing; Allen); Basic Psycholinguistic Models (Slot-filling Models; Relation Models; Analogy-based Models; Combined and Other Models; Non-compound Interpretation Models); Summary] 2 General Word Formation Framework [Onomasiological Model of Word Formation; Onomasiological Types] 3 A Theory of Predictability [Why Context-Free Meaning Predictability?; Predictability – Lexical Meaning – Conceptualisation – Extra-linguistic Knowledge; Predictability and the Native/non-native Speaker Factor; Predictability and Seme Level; Meaning-prediction Process (Predictability and the Onomasiological Type); Onomasiological Structure Rules; Predictability and Productivity; Predictability and Typicality; Predictability Rate; Objectified Predictability Rate; Hypotheses] 4 The Experiments [Method; Experiment 1 (Sample Naming Units; Experimental Data and Their Analysis; Summary 1); Experiment 2 & 3 & 4; Meaning Predictability and Associative Meaning: The Experimental Results in the Light of Free Association of Words (Meaning Predictability of Conversions and the Associative Principle; Summary 5; Meaning Predictability of Two-constituent Naming Units and the Associative Principle; Summary 6)] 5 Conclusions [General; Conclusions (Meaning Prediction Capacity; No 'Correct' Reading; Prototypical Semes; Crucial Role of Extra-linguistic Knowledge and Experiences; Preference for Stable Relationships; Acceptable Word Formation Types; Word Formation Types and Meaning Predictability; Onomasiological Type and Predictability Rate; Objectified Predictability Rate; One (Two) Dominant Reading(s), or Potential vs. Predictable Readings; Single-occurrence Readings; Analogy; Meaning Predictability and Associative Meaning; Interplay of Factors; Meaning Predictability Boosting and Reducing Conditions)]; Notes; References; Author Index; Subject Index -- This book aims to contribute to a growing interest amongst psycholinguists and morphologists in the mechanisms of meaning predictability. It presents a brand-new model of the meaning-prediction of novel, context-free naming units, relating the word formation and word interpretation processes. Unlike previous studies, mostly focussed on N+N compounds, the scope of this book is much wider. It not only covers all types of complex words, but also discusses a whole range of predictability-boosting and -reducing conditions. Two measures are introduced, the Predictability Rate and the Objectified Predictability Rate, in order to compare the strength of predictable readings both within a word and relative to the most predictable readings of other coinages. Four extensive experiments indicate inter alia the equal predicting capacity of native and non-native speakers, the close interconnection between linguistic and extra-linguistic factors, the important role of prototypical semes, and the usual dominance of a single central reading. …