Abstract
The paper dwells upon the systematic description of English verbal prefixes. The verbal prefix is to be treated in the paradigmatic and syntagmatic plane of the language. It is asserted in this article that the meaning of a prefix is identical to that of the preposition – the relationship between two objects in space extrapolating on two consecutive states of the subject/object in time, and when generalized, form the two types of senses. Such prefix features as origin, transporting opportunity, negation and valency are considered, as well as semantic features (such as polysemy and chains of synonyms). In semantic analysis we deal with semes as the meaning constituents defining basic and secondary semes. The process of the formation of different senses has been distinguished by means of semantic opposition and combinations of semes that form the invariant meaning of the verbal prefix.
Highlights
Looking at the English prefixes in general it can be noticed that through a brief history of English derivational system, prefixes confirm our assumption that the change of English derivational system have led to make a distinction between native and foreign prefixes, and to make a distinction between general and specific prefixes their meaning
We have noticed that the range of prefix senses includes pure logical meaning of contrary and contradictory semantic oppositions on one hand, which we have called general invariant, and on the other hand the numerous prefix semes, which we have called specific or differential ones
It is noticed that verbs of Germanic origin prevail in the correlations of objects in space/ whereas prefixes of Roman origin are mostly obsolete in their meaning and merge with verbs to function in special senses, their root verbs normally do not function separately (Meyer, 2009)
Summary
Looking at the English prefixes in general it can be noticed that through a brief history of English derivational system, prefixes confirm our assumption that the change of English derivational system have led to make a distinction between native and foreign prefixes, and to make a distinction between general and specific prefixes their meaning. Practical significance is explained by the importance of finding out semantic generalized and specified features of the prefixal verbs in teaching word-building and semasiology. We support the linguistics, asserting that English prefixes are affixes (i.e., bound morphemes that provide inner lexical meaning) that are added before either simple roots or complex bases (or operands) consisting of (a) a root and other affixes, (b) multiple roots, or (c) multiple roots and other affixes. Examples of these follow: undo (consisting of prefix un- and root do). It is supposed that In English, all verbal prefixes are derivational by their functional meaning possessing their general invariant meaning and a range of differential senses
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