Neoclassicism in Bangla Word Formation Processes

Abstract

In this paper, I examine the notion of neoclassical word formation in Bangla and attempt to account for all the morpho-phonological interactions of both neoclassical and native Bangla word formation processes under the framework of Rule-based Phonology. The paper has both descriptive and theoretical goals. Bangla has a vast lexicon and a rich morphological system. The abundance of the classical Sanskrit language entities makes it interesting to explore the word formation processes and observe the morphophonological interactions in light of Neoclassicism. The words and affixes in Bangla have been divided into: a) Tadbhava and b) Tatsama c) Deshi (Native) and d) Videshi (Foreign). I study the different word formation processes in Bangla affixes. A rule-based account has been given to account for the morphophonological changes and bring out the essence of Neoclassicism in the Bangla lexicon and contribute towards the study of Bangla phonology and morphology.