Word formation in Karen Sgaw An investigation of the morphemes /ta1/, /nɒ1/, /pγa4/ and /lɒ1/

Abstract

Karen Sgaw is a Tibeto-Burmese language that is spoken in Myanmar and Thailand. Current literature claims that the only morphological process that occurs in Karen Sgaw, is the process of compounding. This paper aims to answer the research question:

How can word formation processes in Karen Sgaw be described using the morphological theories of compounding and derivation?

Derivation and compounding are morphological processes that can be grouped together under the term word formation. The two are treated like two very different procedures. However, a few authors have shown that compound elements can undergo a diachronic change to become derivational affixes. To make a distinction between derivational affixes and compound elements, it should be determined whether the morphemes are bound or free, and whether they are functional or not. Derivational affixes are always bound, compound elements are in most cases free. In this study, the morphemes /ta1/, /nɒ1/, /pγa4/ and /lɒ1/ are examined by interviewing two native speakers of Karen Sgaw. The results show that the morphemes /ta1/, /nɒ1/ and /pγa4/ have bound occurrences. Of these, /ta1/, and /pγa4/ function as derivational affixes. These findings give evidence for the presence of derivational processes in Karen Sgaw. Further research is needed to demonstrate whether this is due to a diachronic change.