Linguistic Features in “How I Met Your Mother”. A Linguistic Analysis

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Definition of "How I Met Your Mother"
• Structure of paper
• Simple Forms
• Acronyms
• Affixes
• Prefixes
• Infixes
• Suffixes
• Backformation
• Blending
• Borrowing
• Clips
• Compounds
• One word compounds
• Two word compounds
• Three word compounds
• Eponyms
• Homophony
• Mixed Forms
• Backformation + Inference
• Eponym + Backformation (+ Metonymy)
• Eponym Hypocorism + Metonymy + Backformation
• Clips Compounds
• Clip + Compound + Eponym
• Splinter + Compound
• Splinter + Borrowing + Eponym
• Splinter + Borrowing + Compound
• Compound + Metonymy
• Compound + Hypocorism + Backformation
• Compound + Borrowing
• Compound + Borrowing + Clip + Eponym
• Compound + Suffix + Splinter
• Blending + Hypocorism
• Blending + Eponym
• Set phrase + Metonymy
• Non-defined word formations
• Miscellaneous Features
• Alliteration
• Set phrases
• Conclusion

Objectives and Key Themes

This paper aims to analyze the most important and recurring word formations used in "How I Met Your Mother" (HIMYM) and compare them to existing studies. The sitcom utilizes puns to create humor, offering a rich source of linguistic wordplay. This study focuses on the most common examples of word formations, many of which are used repeatedly throughout the series.

• Types of word formations used in HIMYM
• Comparison of word formations to existing linguistic studies
• Analysis of how word formations contribute to humor in HIMYM
• Classification of word formations into simple and mixed forms
• Exploration of the relationship between word formations and character development

Chapter Summaries

The paper begins with an introduction that defines "How I Met Your Mother" and outlines the structure of the study. It then proceeds to examine simple forms of word formations, including acronyms, affixes, backformation, blending, borrowing, clips, compounds, eponyms, and homophony. Each section provides examples from the show, explains the linguistic processes involved, and compares them to existing studies.

The paper then moves on to explore mixed forms of word formations, where multiple linguistic processes are combined in a single expression. Examples of these include backformation + inference, eponym + backformation (+ metonymy), eponym hypocorism + metonymy + backformation, clips compounds, and others. Each mixed form is analyzed in detail, highlighting the specific word formation processes involved and their contribution to the overall humor of the show.

Finally, the paper explores non-defined word formations and miscellaneous features, such as alliteration and set phrases. This section aims to capture the full range of linguistic creativity employed in HIMYM.

Keywords

The primary keywords and focus topics include word formations, puns, humor, sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother", linguistics, acronyms, affixes, backformation, blending, borrowing, clips, compounds, eponyms, homophony, mixed forms, and character development. The study explores how these concepts contribute to the overall linguistic landscape of the popular sitcom.