Phonological and Lexical Restrictions in English Suffixation: Examining the -al and -en Derivatives

Abstract

English word-formation through -al and -en suffixation is well-documented, but its analysis within a constraint-based Optimality Theoretic ranking system remains exceedingly rare. This article aims to examine and analyze derivatives formed with -al and -en suffixes by employing Markedness and Faithfulness constraints along with Alignment. The nominal -al suffix attaches to a verb base, while the verbal -en suffix is added to an adjective base to derive a new lexeme. English noun formation via -al suffixation is influenced by a stress-related phonological requirement, namely stress on the final syllable of a base, as mandated by Align(al). In contrast, -en suffixation is governed by Align(en), which ensures that the suffix adheres to the phonological characteristics of a base, specifically, that it forms a single monosyllabic foot. Furthermore, the base-final consonant must be an obstruent, neither a sonorant nor a vowel, as required by FinalC-Obs(en). Interestingly, albeit analytically challenging, bases that resist noun formation via -al or verb formation via -en are directly affected by lexical constraints, such as the top-ranked Dep-Lex(Aff), along with the unranked Max-Lex(Aff) and Ident-Lex(Aff). In essence, underlyingly present suffixes surface unchanged, while those that are not present in the input are not inserted.