Aspects of lexical nomination and a theory of lexical motivation

Abstract

The paper analyses the means of lexical enrichment from the viewpoint of a theory of lexical motivation (TLM). After introductory notes, the methodological background (basic principles of TLM) is explained (section 2). Consequently, in section 3, a hierarchy of related concepts is introduced, namely, a three-tiered set of oppositions: (1) imitation nomination - lexical nomination, (2) intralinguistic nomination - cross- -linguistic nomination, (3) intralexemic nomination - interlexemic nomination. In accordance with that, the following types of lexical motivation are described: phonological motivation, word-formation motivation, morphological motivation, syntactic motivation, abbreviation motivation, semantic motivation, cross-linguistic (contact) motivation. These types represent particular means of lexical enrichment traditionally referred to as word formation, conversion, borrowing, clipping, etc. Moreover, in section 4 it is pointed out that these types of motivation are interrelated. This fact is reflected in the concept of motivational relatedness, which also applies to nomination processes. Nomination relatedness can be characterized as cooperation or determination. This is closely related to the concept of polymotivation, i.e., an alternative interpretation of nomination processes.