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5. CORPORA AND METHODOLOGY<br />

and atonement (Jespersen 1942 [1909] Vol. VI: 375). Jespersen states that the suffix has<br />

been productive since then, particularly in the 19 th and 20 th centuries.<br />

The suffix –ment usually collocates with disyllables with stress on the second syllable,<br />

both of Romance origin, as in commandment, concealment and contentment (Jespersen<br />

1942 [1909] Vol. VI: 376), and of native origin, forming hybrids, such as concernment,<br />

fulfillment and recallment. Furthermore, formations from verbs with the prefixes en–/em–<br />

and be– are also very frequent; thus, enlightenment, endearment, enjoyment and<br />

enbodiment (Jespersen 1942 [1909] Vol. VI: 376).<br />

Concerning the meaning of the suffix, most of the formations in –ment are action<br />

nouns and correspond quite closely to the –ing gerund, but some instances show a passive<br />

meaning (‘being –ed’), for instance, fulfillment, refreshment and contentment (Jespersen<br />

1942 [1909] Vol. VI: 376). Furthermore, some of the –ment formations can be seen as<br />

“[r]esult nouns (e.g. comandement, jugement), [i]nstrumental nouns (e.g. oynement,<br />

ournement), or as proper lexicalizations (e.g. parlement, sacrament, procurement)” in ME<br />

(Dalton-Puffer 1996: 109; for a similar view see also Lloyd 2011: 260).<br />

5.2.1.2.3. –ance<br />

This suffix derives from French –nce, which in turn originates from Latin –ntia. The ME<br />

spelling was generally –aunce. In French, –ance was used as a suffix to form what<br />

Jespersen termed “verbal nexus-words,” that is, action nouns, many of which were<br />

borrowed into English. Instances include annoyance, entrance and nuisance (Jespersen<br />

1942 [1909] Vol. VI: 370). Quite frequently the verb was adopted in English together with<br />

146

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