The derivational paradigm of Old English. Alternations, recursivity and mismatches of formations based on strong verbs

Abstract

This article deals with the formation of nouns, adjectives, and verbs based on strong verbs

in Old English. From the methodological point of view, the role of the strong verb in lexical

derivation is stressed. On the descriptive side, the derivation based on the seven classes of

strong verbs is analized in detail, including the processes of zero derivation, prefixation, and

suffixation, as well as the formation involving different vocalic grades, the alternations that

hold with respect to derivatives, and recursive formations. The main conclusion of the article

is that alternations and mismatches cause opaqueness in derivational morphology and,

consequently, they may have contributed to the radical change that derivation eventually

underwent