Word-Formation Means Textual Cohesion and Coherence

Abstract

The article looks at word-formation means of textual cohesion and coherence. The analysis shows that the repetition of a suffix, prefix, confix or a base in adjacent or distant sentences in small textual segments can ensure the latter’s cohesion. The ‘source word – derivative’ pair has a considerable cohesive potential. It is especially typical of syntactic derivation. The nominalization of the verb – the predicate of the base sentence, its communicative nucleus – and its use in the next sentence, adjacent or distant one, indicates the theme and ensures the communicative prospects of a sentence within the context of the developing and unfolding text. Textual cohesion is provided by ‘source word – derivative’ word-formation pairs beyond syntactic derivation – when we deal with mutation and modification. The components of complex word-formation units – word-formation paradigms, word-formation families – can be used as cohesive devices because they share the same root morpheme, which is the bearer of general semantic meaning inherent in all members of a paradigmatic grouping.

Keywords

• cohesion, coherence, text, formant, base, word-formation paradigm, word-formation family.