<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of the present paper is to investigate the reasons for the significant decline in both the frequency and productivity of the suffix -ish in Middle English. The major factors responsible seem to be the growing popularity of the of + Noun phrases as well as the competition among -ish and other suffixes. The analysis will be preceded with the introduction of some essential facts concerning the semantic development and productivity of the OE suffix -isc in Middle English.</p></abstract>

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the reasons for the significant decline in both the frequency and productivity of the suffix -ish in Middle English. The major factors responsible seem to be the growing popularity of the of + Noun phrases as well as the competition among -ish and other suffixes. The analysis will be preceded with the introduction of some essential facts concerning the semantic development and productivity of the OE suffix -isc in Middle English.

The Middle English Suffix -Ish: Reasons for Decline in Productivity

Studia Anglica Posnaniensia

{"article-title":"The Middle English Suffix -Ish: Reasons for Decline in Productivity"}

The aim of the present paper is to investigate the reasons for the significant decline in both the frequency and productivity of the suffix -ish in Middle...

The Middle English Suffix -Ish: Reasons for Decline in Productivity

Published Online: Mar 27, 2013

Page range: 27 - 39

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10121-012-0002-z

This content is open access.