Diversity of schemas in English bahuvrihi compounds

Abstract The present study examines a dataset of English bahuvrihi compounds with the right-hand constituent head , drawn from the Araneum Anglicum Maius corpus and other supplementary sources, with the aim of investigating how this specific section of the lexicon is internally structured. Using the theoretical framework of Relational Morphology developed by Jackendoff and Audring, the study seeks to identify the diversity of schemas that can be abstracted from the dataset. It explores the idiosyncratic features of individual schemas and demonstrates their implications for structuring the lexicon (relational function) and the formation of new lexemes (generative function). Regarding the relational role, the schemas exhibit a hierarchical structure, ranging from low-level highly specific schemas to the most abstract ones at the highest level. The schemas also function as categories comprising prototypical and peripheral members and exhibit fuzzy boundaries. These fuzzy boundaries are manifested as overlaps between two schemas, where some lexemes may belong to both simultaneously. Additionally, it is argued that certain series of lexemes display specific patterns in their conceptualization, which may further contribute to structuring the lexicon and to the formation of novel lexemes.