英语中的最小词

The Minimal Word in English

在英语中,从不同的角度,不同的表达层面看"word",最小的英语单词(the minimal word)就会有不同的实现形式。一方面,作为语法单位,在词的层面上,自由语素因为不能再被划分为最小的语义单位,所以把它叫做英语中的最小单词。另一方面,在词的层面以下,最小单词就可以是一个音节,具有两个莫拉重量的通常满足CVV或CVC的词,如key/ki:/,和tip/tip/等。

If we see ＂word＂from different angles and levels of representation,the minimal word can have different realizations. On one hand, the free root morpheme llke nation, teach, and cold can be called the minimal word on the word level in view of his not being divided into much smaller meaningful unit; On the other hand,below the word level the words satisfied by CVV or CVC,and having two moras are the minimum word types llke key and tip in English.