In-Depth Notes on Word Formation and Affixation

Word Formation: Affixation

Overview

  • Word Formation: The processes used to create new words in English. The key methods include:
    • Affixation
    • Compounding
    • Shortening
    • Conversion
    • Sound imitation
    • Back formation
    • Words from names

Affixation

  • Formation of new words by adding an affix (prefix or suffix) to a root morpheme.
    • Example: happy → unhappy → unhappiness
    • Example: loyal → loyalty → disloyalty

Types of Affixation

Prefixation
  • Definition: Adding a prefix to a root morpheme.
  • Characteristics:
    • Added to the beginning of a word.
    • Rarely changes the word class of the new word.
    • Main stress typically falls on the base.
Suffixation
  • Definition: Adding a suffix to a root morpheme.
  • Characteristics:
    • Added to the end of a word.
    • Suffixes often change the word’s part of speech.

Productivity of Affixation

  • A productive affix can create numerous new words. Example: -ism can create terms like Thatcherism and Stalinism.
  • Affixation can lead to innovative word forms based on context (e.g., superman, supermarket).

Classification of Prefixes

  1. Negative Prefixes: Indicate opposition or absence.
    • Examples:
      • “un-”: unfair, unhappy
      • “non-”: non-smoker
      • “dis-”: disloyal
  2. Reversible/Privative Prefixes: Indicate reversal of an action.
    • Examples:
      • “un-”: unlock, undress
      • “de-”: defrost, demilitarize
  3. Pejorative Prefixes: Imply disapproval.
    • Examples:
      • “mis-”: misinform
      • “mal-”: malfunction
      • “pseudo-”: pseudo-scientific
  4. Prefixes of Degree or Size: Indicate level or extent.
    • Examples:
      • “super-”: supermarket, superman
      • “sub-”: subnormal, substandard
  5. Prefixes of Attitude: Reflect attitudes or perspectives.
    • Examples:
      • “anti-”: anti-democracy
      • “co-”: cooperate
  6. Locative Prefixes: Indicate location.
    • Examples:
      • “inter-”: international
      • “trans-”: transplant
  7. Prefixes of Time and Order: Indicate temporal aspects.
    • Examples:
      • “pre-”: prehistorical
      • “post-”: postgraduate
  8. Number Prefixes: Denote quantity.
    • Examples:
      • “uni-”: unicycle
      • “bi-”: bicycle
  9. Conversion Prefixes: Change a word's grammatical class.
    • Examples:
      • “be-”: befriend
      • “en-”: enlarge
      • “a-”: afloat

Suffixes

Noun-forming Suffixes
  • Suffixes that create nouns from other word classes.
    • Examples:
    • “-age”: marriage, blockage
    • “-or”: actor, visitor
    • “-ism”: socialism, realism
    • “-ness”: happiness, sadness
Verb-forming Suffixes
  • Suffixes that create verbs from other categories.
    • Examples:
    • “-ize”: organize, capitalize
    • “-en”: weaken, brighten
Adjective-forming Suffixes
  • Suffixes that transform words into adjectives.
    • Examples:
    • “-able”: readable, teachable
    • “-ful”: beautiful, painful
    • “-less”: helpless, tireless
Adverb Forming Suffixes
  • Suffixes that form adverbs from adjectives.
    • Examples:
    • “-ly”: happily, quickly
    • “-ward(s)”: forward, homeward

Exercises

  • Negative Prefix Quiz: Add a negative prefix to the following words:
    • possible, loyal, honest, regular, legal, complete, replaceable, effective, popular.
Conclusion
  • Word formation, particularly through affixation, is a dynamic aspect of English that allows for extensive vocabulary expansion through both prefixes and suffixes. Understanding these concepts enhances language skills and vocabulary comprehension.