Abstract:Since the 20th century, with the birth of network and social development, more and more new words and new terms have appeared in the network English vocabulary, making a significant change in expressions. The thesis collects network English words from chat rooms, BBS and E-mails. The researcher classifies them, then compares and analyzes them, then points out the patterns of word formation. According to analysis, the thesis sums up that the formation of network English words not only follow the traditional patterns to a certain extent, including affixation, compounding, shortening, blending and conversion，but also deviate from the traditional patterns of word-formation, including homonymy, emoticon and heterogeneous ways. These new words have the characteristics of vividness and propriety, brevity, metaphor and innovation. The causes of the words go to linguistic and non-linguistic factors, such as, the openness and development of English itself and the impact of politics, economy and culture at that time. Moreover, with the development of society and the advance of technology, the neologisms of network English tend to be terse, popular and efficient, catering to the requirement of the times. The study of the morphology of network English words can not only help linguistic learning and study and take advantage of network information, but also help promote communication with others.

Keywords: network English  word-formation  new words  affixation  compounding

Contents

Abstract

摘要

Chapter One Introduction-1

Chapter Two Patterns of Word Formation-3

3.1 Traditional Patterns of Word Formation-3

3.1.1 Affixation-3

3.1.2 Compounding-3

3.1.3 Conversion-4

3.1.4 Blending-5

3.1.5 Shortening-5

3.2 New Patterns of Word Formation-7

3.2.1 Homonymy-7

3.2.2 Emoticon-7

3.2.3 Heterogeneous Ways-8

Chapter Three Causes and Characteristics of the Neologisms-10

3.1 Causes of the Neologisms-10

3.1.1 Linguistic Factors-10

3.1.2 Non-Linguistic Factors-10

3.2 Characteristics of Neologisms-10

3.2.1 Vivid and Proper-11

3.2.2 Terse and Clear-11

3.2.3 Metaphorical-11

3.2.4 Innovative-12

Chapter Four Conclusion-13

References-14