Metaphor and lexical neology: productivity of the {-nauta} morpheme in Spanish

Abstract

This paper proposes a relationship between the productivity of the {-nauta} morpheme in Spanish and a series of metaphors that have, recursively, expanded their scope. The analysis takes under consideration studies addressing the processes of word formation from a perspective of diachronic morphology (Rainer 2002; Pharies 2002, 2004), as well as the contribution to the study of neologisms of studies that highlight the relevance of metaphor in the organization of thought and everyday communication (Lakoff and Johnson 1980) and allow to address them in relation to social representations (Rodríguez Salazar, 2007). All sources are written texts representing different varieties of Spanish, with special attention to the peninsular and argentine varieties. Online searches were used to identify examples of particular words and lexicographical works (DRAE, DEA, DUE, DVUA, VOX and those integrating the Nuevo Tesoro Lexicográfico de la Lengua Española [online]) are also considered as secondary sources.