ABSTRACT
Reduplication is where a new item is created through the repetition of all or part of a base word. Reduplication can be used in a number of ways and for a number of purposes across many languages. It is not surprising; therefore, that Sornig describes reduplication as something that "has always been a familiar and common device in grammar and word-formation". Reduplication is fairly commonplace in youth, criminal and colloquial varieties, not only in English, but also in French, Russian and other languages. There are many reasons why reduplication might be employed in youth, criminal and colloquial language. Terms created through rhyming reduplication often involve change in the initial consonant. In basic terms, compounding involves joining together separate words to create a new item of vocabulary. In youth, criminal and colloquial language, compounding variously allows a speaker to be specific, creative and expressive. It is undoubtedly the case that compounding has been used to great effect in English.
