Questions of the composition of Kinship terms

[Esperanza_]

Like....the "god" in "godfather", and the "full" in "full brother" and "-in-law". How do you call these parts in the three examples? A root or a affix? or other term?
I'm writing a paper about the compositions of English kinship terms. and i even can't clearly classify them....
Help!

 

[charliedeut]

Like....the "god" in "godfather", and the "full" in "full brother" and "-in-law". How do you call these parts in the three examples? A root or an affix? Or is there another term?
I'm writing a paper about the compositions of English kinship terms. And I even can't clearly classify them....
Help!

See my amendments above.

Thank you for using a meaningful thread title.

 

[Esperanza_]

Thank you........

 

[MikeNewYork]

Like....the "god" in "godfather", and the "full" in "full brother" and "-in-law". How do you call these parts in the three examples? A root or a affix? or other term?
I'm writing a paper about the compositions of English kinship terms. and i even can't clearly classify them....
Help!

I am not certain about the terminology, but here are some thoughts. "Godfather" is a compound noun formed from two nouns. Some would call "God" an attributive noun (acting as an adjective). In "full brother" there are two separate words, with "full" being an adjective modifying "brother". "In-law" is a bit tricky. It can be classified as a noun (standing alone) but that is from back formation from the compounds xxx-in-law. In the original compounds, "in law" is an adjective which is one of the few that are used only postpositively. Based on the previous, I wouldn't consider any of these to be affixes.

 

[5jj]

I'm writing a paper about the compositions of English kinship terms. and i even can't clearly classify them...

If it's any consolation, this native speaker and fairly experienced teacher would not find this easy. I will just say that, for me, 'full brother' is not a natural expression. If it were I'd say that 'full' was an adjective.

 

[MikeNewYork]

If it's any consolation, this native speaker and fairly experienced teacher would not find this easy. I will just say that, for me, 'full brother' is not a natural expression. If it were I'd say that 'full' was an adjective.

In AmE, we use full brother sometimes, particularly when a family has stepbrothers, half brothers and full brothers.

 

[5jj]

In AmE, we use full brother sometimes, particularly when a family has stepbrothers, half brothers and full brothers.

Thanks.

There is no doubt in my mind that 'full' is an adjective. I would hyphenate 'half-brother' and not hyphenate 'stepbrother'. I am not sure whether or not this makes any difference to the labelling. I am relieved that I am going on holiday in a couple of hours, and can leave the resolution of this to others.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Thanks.

There is no doubt in my mind that 'full' is an adjective. I would hyphenate 'half-brother' and not hyphenate 'stepbrother'. I am not sure whether or not this makes any difference to the labelling. I am relieved that I am going on holiday in a couple of hours, and can leave the resolution of this to others.

Some dictionaries hyphenate half brother; others do not.

Enjoy your holiday!