Филологический класс (Oct 2022)
Connotative Potential of Deanthroponymic Semi-Suffixes in German
Abstract
The article studies denominations of persons in German with the second component – a feminine or masculine name. In German, persons are quite often named with the help of a complex method of word formation – semi-suffixation. Sometimes anthroponyms are used as semi-suffixes and undergo the process of de-anthroponymization – they go over into the group of appellatives. In German, proper names can be attached to different stems while naming persons, which is a peculiar feature of the German language. The article deals with the semantics and word formation of the denominations of persons with deanthroponymic semi-suffixes, distinguishes their thematic groups and analyzes the evaluative characteristics given to the denominations of persons through the use of denominal semi-suffixes. Most often such denominations are used to characterize the propensities / actions or habits of persons, a little less frequently they are used to denote persons by profession or occupation. Relational names and names characterizing a person by his/her appearance occur rarely. Most denominations describing persons’ propensities/activities or habits are attached to verbal stems containing semes of actions (habits/propensities) with derogatory connotation (heulen – ‘roar’, trӧdeln – ‘dawdle’, prahlen – ‘brag’ etc.). Many deanthroponymic elements are attached to similar stems, which testifies to a derogatory evaluation by the speaker of a certain set of propensities / actions, habits or professional activity of a person. Professional denominations are often attached to noun stems that are in some way related to a given activity of a person. Almost all denominations of persons with deanthroponymic semi-suffixes express the negative evaluation ‘bad’. Semi-suffixes derived from masculine names predominate in terms of the number of word-forming elements. In German, there are often denominations of persons – synonyms with a similar meaning without anthroponyms in their structure, which demonstrates the desire of the speaker to express a more genuine attitude to some traits and activities of the nominated persons.
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