Функционирование лексического блендинга в разных стилях немецкого языка

Abstract

The paper covers semantics and different functions of blends in German language. This issue is relevant, as blending is a very common and productive word-formation mechanism, though German blends have not been properly studied before the 90s. Blending in this context is handled as a wordformation mechanism and a phenomenon on the junction of linguistic competence and creativity. It is treated as both a linguistic and psychological phenomenon. The paper tackles functioning of blending in a variety of styles: mass-media, academic, colloquial speech, literature and other styles. Emphasis is made on semantics, stylistics and functions of blends. The paper involves reviews of works related to blends and evidence from my research. Blends are split into groups according to their subject-matter, stylistics, functions and origin.