Many questions and few answerson conversion in English
ISSN: 0214-4808, 2171-861X
Year of publication: 1999
Issue: 12
Pages: 181-200
Type: Article
More publications in: Alicante Journal of English Studies / Revista Alicantina de Estudios Ingleses: RAEI
Abstract
Conversion is a well-known word-formation process which, a priori, seems relatively easy to identify. However, a close look at its basics brings to light some critical questions which still remain unanswered to this day. The very nature of this operation, and the concepts of full and partial conversion are therefore here examined in the light of a need for explicit criteria for recognition of actual cases of conversion. Evidence supporting this need is supplied by a review of a variety of processes which have the same results as conversion when they operate on English adjectives and adverbs.