Confixal word-formation rows with the suffix -ment

Abstract

This article presents a detailed analysis of the structure of five confixal word-formation rows with the suffix -ment from the synchronous point of view and with the help of the applicative generative model. The confixal word-formation rows are studied in terms of their homogeneity and heterogeneity, complexity and depth. Some theoretical notions such as “word-formation row”, “confix”, “circumfix”, “derivational suffix” and “applicative generative model” are discussed. The paper outlines different interpretations of the origin of the suffix -ment. The article is mainly aimed at analyzing the structure of confixal word-formation rows rather than describing their semantic features.