The Even Yearbook 6 (2004)
#51
volume: 6 (2004)
pages: 11–18
author: Réka Benczes
title: Analysing exocentric compounds in English: a case for creativity
abstract: Since the vast majority of English compounds is endocentric (Bloomfield 1933), linguistic literature has a tendency to mention exocentric combinations only peripherally (if they are mentioned at all), and views these constructions as semantically non-transparent (see for example Dirven and Verspoor 1998, Jespersen 1954, Katamba 1993, Levi 1978, Marchand 1960, Selkirk 1982, Spencer 1991). The present paper takes a close look at these much-ignored constructions and claims that “exocentric” or “non-transparent” compounds are just as easily analysable as endocentric compounds. With the help of cognitive linguistic ČtoolsÉ such as metaphor, metonymy and blending among others, their meaning becomes analysable and transparent. Thus there is no need for the traditional distinction between the two categories: all we are dealing with is a more imaginative word formation process. Therefore I suggest using the term “creative compound” for metaphorical and/or metonymical noun–noun combinations.
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