Conversion/Functional Shift: An Indispensable Tool for Creativity in English language and Literature

Abstract

English language is dynamic and this attribute makes it outstanding among the languagesexisting in our world today. Although, Grammarians and Usage Panels tried tremendously toestablish the standard usage of the English words, the fact remains that according to Calvert((2017), there is no Academy to define officially accepted words. Neologisms are coinedregularly in all fields of man’s endeavour - Medicine, Science and Technology, Music andEntertaining Industries; and new slangs are constantly being developed. More often than not,some of these new words enter wider usage and become listed in the English lexicon whileothers remain restricted to small circles; hence, the issue of full and partial conversionrespectively. This study tends to consider the contributions of functional shift in English as aproductive process which ensures maximal creativity on the part of English language users andthe brain behind the thriving of the English language.