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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)
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/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
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USA, Cambridge University Press.
2. Ahmed . ( 2000 ) . Shatha Alurf Fi Fan Alsarf . ( 2nd
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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
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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