Lexicalization and Spanish derivational morphology

Abstract

In this study lexicalization refers to derivation where an idiosyncratic component of meaning has been acquired. Being non-compositional, lexicalized items are usually considered irregular. In accordance with an emerging view that irregularity should take a place as one of the central issues in linguistic theory, this article deals with lexicalized derivatives in Spanish within the framework provided by the dual-route model. On the basis of intuitive speculation and an exploratory search of a Spanish corpus, the hypothesis was formulated that a significant majority of derivatives in Spanish are compositional; therefore, lexicalization is a secondary process in Spanish word formation. A corpus study comparing results from two large Spanish corpora was conducted to test the hypothesis. The results, based on an analysis of over 10,000 derivatives confirm the hypothesis, supporting the author’s intuitions and providing additional support for the dual-route model. In addition, the corpus findings suggest that metaphor in Spanish derivation is not as common as may previously have been thought.