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net-
quickinfo

The prefix net- derives nouns on the basis of nouns referring to a person. Derivations with net- express the opposite of the base form. An example is smoker smoker > net-smoker non-smoker. Because of the predicative semantics of derivations with net-, the base form and the prefix are connected in the orthography by a hyphen.

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[+]General properties

The prefix net- derives from the negative adverb net not, and can therefore rather be taken as a prefixoid. The base is always a noun denoting a person. Derivations with net- refer to the opposite of the base. An example is smoker smoker > net-smoker non-smoker. Derivations with net- have a predicative denotation (cf. also eks- and âld). This means that a net-smoker non-smoker is not a type of smoker (like piipsmoker pipe smoker), but a person who is not a smoker. To indicate this in the spelling, the base and the prefix are connected by a hyphen.

Examples of derivations with net- are listed below:

Table 1
Base form Derivation
smoker smoker net-smoker no-nsmoker
Fries Frisian net-Fries non-Frisian
kristen Christian net-kristen non-Christian
lid member net-lid non-member
aktiven employed net-aktiven unemployed
[+]Phonological properties

This predicative semantics is also reflected in the stress pattern. The stress is not on the prefix, but on the base form. At the same time, the prefix gets extra prominence: SMOker smoker > net-SMOker non-smoker.

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Literature

This topic is based on Hoekstra (1998:68).

References
  • Hoekstra, Jarich1998Fryske wurdfoarmingLjouwertFryske Akademy
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