ABSTRACT
This chapter develops a cognitive model of morphologically complex words and examines the processing explanation for the suffixing preference first advanced by Cutler et al. It reviews a sample of pertinent experimental results, and discusses models of the mental lexicon and lexical processor which these results have suggested. The chapter also reviews the major experimental techniques and findings in detail, summarises the Cohort Model itself, and discusses some potential problems for the model. It deals with problems of representation, and with access, though they are intimately linked, and consequently there is considerable thematic overspill. The problem of metaphorical abstraction is a serious one here. In addition, the formulations discussed in the chapter have at least one feature in common: the recognition that, at some point, morphological decomposition can occur, at least to the extent that internal structure in words can be realised in some way. The discussion is restricted to affixation; compounding and other non-affixal morphological processes are not treated.
