Directionality in affixation: the applicability of Marchand’s (1964) semantic criteria

Abstract

This paper presents a study of directionality in word-class changing affixation. Specifically, it addresses the various semantic criteria proposed in Marchand (1964) for directionality in conversion as applied to a sample of affixation in English. The semantic criteria by Marchand have frequently been pointed out in the literature but have not been studied in detail in either conversion or affixa-tion. The aim is to determine whether these criteria are applicable in overt affixation, where directionality does not seem to pose a problem (because, unless back-formation is attested, the affix signals the directionality of the process), or whether the criteria fail to apply even to these cases.