The Influence of formal and extra-linguistic Factors on the Creativity of name-based Word Formation in German

The article explores the creativity of name-based word formation patterns in German. Linguistic creativity is defined as a combination of the originality of a name-based word-formation unit and the recoverability of its name constituents. Using experimentally elicited personal name blends ( PN blends) as a case study, the article tests the hypothesis that PN blends with unfamiliar name constituents and a noncanonical combination of name constituents (male first name is longer that a female name) are perceived as more original and that their name constituents are less easily recoverable than a PN blend with familiar name constituents and a canonical combination of name constituents. In addition, the study tests the hypothesis that individual differences regarding the frequency of exposure to PN blends influences the creativity ratings of such blends. To this end, we conducted a rating experiment and analysed the results using descriptive statistics and a regression analysis. The results of the statistical analysis partially confirm the above-mentioned hypotheses.