INTRODUCTION
New words can be formed in many languages by the addition of morphemes to bases. Such morphemes can be added before or after the base. The morphological process in which morphemes are added to existing words to form new words is called affixation. The morphemes so added are called affixes. An affix is not capable of independent existence except as an attachment to another morpheme such as a root, stem or base. Affixes are therefore bound morphemes. For example, no English word is made up of an affix like ‘–al, -er, -ed’ or ‘im’. Similarly, affixes cannot be joined together in a recognizable structural bond to form words as the following examples show: *im –al, *al – ed, *im – ed.
There are two types of affixes which generally operate in English: prefixes which are added before the bases to form new words and suffixes usually added after the base. A word like ‘unreasonableness’, for instance, is made up of the root morpheme {reason} after which the prefix ‘–un’ and the suffixes ‘–able’ and ‘ness’ have been added. Prefixation and suffixation are the major forms of affixation and therefore major morphological processes in English.
3.1 Prefixation
As already explained, a prefix is a morpheme that is attached at the beginning of a root. Many English words derived from Latin and Greek consist of a familiar root and a prefix. The prefix is usually a syllable or two. The Latin prefix –sub means ‘below’ or ‘under’. When added to ‘soil’ for instance, it modifies the meaning of the root. ‘Subsoil’ is therefore a layer of soil that is below the surface soil. If the prefix – mal is added to ‘treat’ it becomes ‘maltreat’ which means ‘treat badly’ .
Occasionally the prefix alters the word class of the base as in the
following example:
en + danger (noun) becomes endanger (verb).
Many prefixes in English are from Latin or Greek.
The common ones are:
Prefix
Meaning
Prefixed Words
un}
unkind, unfortunate
in}
not
inclement, insanitary
im}
impossible, imperfect
anti
against
antidote, anti-aircraft
ante
before
antenatal
intra
between
intravenous
inter
among
international
mis}
mismanage
mal}
badly
maltreat
non
not
nonfat, nonnative
re
again
revise, rearrange
tele
distance
telephone, telegram
co
together
co-operation, co-announcer
trans
across
transfer, transfusion
pre
before
prefix, prehistoric
per
through
pervade, percolator
neo
new
neocolonialism, neologism
bene
good
benefactor, benediction
bi
two
bilateral, bicycle
mono
one
monotheism, monotransitive
3.2 Suffixation
Suffixation is a morphological process involving the addition of a morpheme to a root or base. Many English words derived from Greek or Latin are made up of familiar roots and common suffixes. Like prefixes, suffixes, can be made up of one or more syllables attached at the end of a word to modify its meaning. Suffixes are of two types namely inflectional and derivational suffixes which reflect two major word formation processes: inflection and derivation. Knowledge of Greek and Latin suffixes helps to explain words we encounter and use everyday though many of them are common in technical or scientific fields. Science students for instance encounter many words which end in –derm meaning ‘skin’ or ‘tissue’ and –meter which means ‘measure’ .
3.3 Multiple Affixations
It is also possible in English to form complex words by the addition of several affixes (derivational morphemes) to roots and bases. For
example if we take the root ‘friend’ we can create a word by adding {- ly} to form ‘friendly’ . To the base ‘friendly’ can be added the derivational prefix – un and the suffix – ness to form the complex word unfriendliness. This process of forming complex words such as unfriendliness by the addition of several affixes is the process of
multiple affixations. The process takes place in a number of steps so that the word formed by one step by affixation becomes the base for the next step as can be seen in the following examples: nature natural unnatural naturalization
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE (SAE) 1
Another word is given for each of the prefixes you have studied. Part of the sentence describing its meaning has been left blank. Supply the missing word or words.
Example: When you revise your notes you read the same thing –
Answer: again
1. anti- An ‘antisocial’ person does things that go – the welfare of others.
2. bene- A ‘benefactor’ is someone who does us a – turn.
3. bi: A ‘bilingual’ person speaks – languages
multi: while a ‘multilingual’ one speaks – languages.
4. ex- To ‘exempt’ a person is to take him – a category where he would normally belong.
5. neo- A ‘neophyte’ is a person who is – to a faith or calling.
6. pre- The ‘preface’ of a book comes – the main part.
7. re- If invaders are ‘repelled’, they are beaten –
8. trans- Transoceanic cables extend – the ocean.
9. per- The odour that ‘permeates’ a room is spread – it.
10. in- If a vote is ‘invalidated’, it has been declared – valid.
SELF ASSESSMENT EXERCISE (SAE) 2
Some common Greek and Latin suffixes are given below: supply the missing words:
1. -cide killing insecticide kills insects;
A homicide squad investigates killings of people.
Killing oneself is –
2. - cracy rule In a – the people rule. In a theocracy priests rule.
An autocracy is the
government by one person.
3. -ennial yearly A centennial is a one
hundredth anniversary. A – plant lasts through the years.
4. -fy make A magnifying glass makes things larger.
An – makes sounds
stronger.
5. - logue speech A monologue is a speech
addressed to oneself.
In a – two people speak to
each other.
A prologue is a short
speech introducing a play.
4.0 CONCLUSION
One of the basic principles of word formation in English is through the process of Affixation. This includes the techniques of attaching prefixes and suffixes as well as multiple affixations to words. This principle underscores the dynamism of English as an international language.
5.0 SUMMARY
The following main points have been raised in this unit:
The morphological process in which morphemes are added to existing words to form new words is called affixation.
Prefixation and suffixation are the major forms of affixation and therefore major morphological processes in English.
A prefix is a morpheme that is attached at the beginning of a root.
Suffixation is a morphological process involving the addition of a morpheme at the end of a root or base.
The process of forming complex words by the addition of several affixes is called multiple affixation.
Knowledge of Greek and Latin suffixes helps to explain words we encounter and use everyday.
6.0 TUTOR MARKED ASSIGNMENT (TMA)
Add as many prefixes and suffixes as you can to the following free morphemes: nation, grace, comprehend, happy, mean, faith, kind.
7.0 REFERENCES / FURTHER READINGS
Tomori, S. H. O. (1977) The morphology and syntax of present-day English: an introduction. Ibadan: Heinemann.
Udofot, I. (1999) An introduction to the morphology of English. Uyo: Scholar’s Press.
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