PT Journal
AU Bajza, A
SO Bohemica Olomucensia
PY 2026
BP 64
EP 87
VL 17
IS 2
DI 10.5507/bo.2025.017
DE linguistic economy; crosswords; efficiency; preservation of source words; recognizability
AB This article focuses primarily on theoretical issues related to linguistic economy with regard to lexical blending. We present the concept of blended words and their structure with a focus on English and Slovak. The result of our observations is a different perception of the structural types that form the basis for the creation of blended words. The structural types established so far cannot be considered unambiguous. Linguistic reality shows that they are no longer satisfactory, as crosswords are highly unpredictable. Therefore, we will focus on several aspects of linguistic economy and how crosswords can be formed not only positively but also negatively. In other words, we will focus on those crosswords that are completely understandable, as well as those that are relatively difficult to decipher, depending on whether the source words are retained or omitted. It should be emphasized that it is not possible to determine unequivocally whether crosswords are structurally well formed or not. It depends mainly on other aspects, such as intention, stylistic criteria, communicative properties, etc.
ER