Affixation is what? The concept and methods of affixation

It is generally accepted in the world that Russian is one of the most difficult and incomprehensible for foreigners to learn. In English, there are many times that are difficult for us to understand. Each language is unique in its own way. Affixation is one of the manifestations of word formation. In the article we will analyze this language concept in detail. Enjoy reading!

Affixation - what is it?

Before you know what this concept means, you need to study another definition. Morphology is a science that explores various parts of speech, including word formation. Affixation is what helps build a word. It includes all suffixes and prefixes that must be attached to the root base. Let's look at this phenomenon using the example of the word “white”. Bel is the root, and -y is the ending. You need to add the prefix "to" to the base. Then we have a new word with a different meaning - to whitewash.

Affix Methods

Linguists divide affixes into several types according to their position in the word. Distinguish:

1. Prefixes (or another name for the "prefix") face the root base.
2. Postfixes are located after the root.
3. And a separate category of affixes called infixes. These include the endings "smiling".

Suffixes and their meaning in Russian

Affixation is the construction of a new word in Russian using a variety of affixes. As we found out, linguists and linguists distinguish three of their types. In Russian, suffixes include the following:

1. -Ik-, -k-, -ok-, -ek-, -onk-, -enk-, -ushk-, -shyuk-, -ochk- have a diminutive property. For example: beautiful - beautiful; a thought is a thought and so on.
2. -Nice- and -k- refer to the formation of words that refer to females. For example, an accordion player is an accordion player, an engineer is a typist.
3. -Nick-, -chik-, -tel-, -shchik- refer to males. For example, translation is a translator, stone is a mason and others.
4. Adjectives can be formed using these suffixes: -ow \ ev-, -n-, -sk-, -ist-. For example, honey is honey, joy is joyful.
5. You can make a verb from a noun or an adjective using the following postfixes: -ova \ eva, -e, -. For example, a quarrel means quarreling, a fisherman means fishing, and so on.
6. The suffixes -ty-, -ty-, -ch- indicate the initial form of the verb, and -l- indicate the past tense. In addition, it is worth mentioning and -sya, which refer to reflexive verbs.

Prefixes

The affixation methods also include the prefixal one, since with it you can literally change the meaning of the word:

1. The prefixes -without / bes- indicate the absence of anything. For example, shameless, indifferent.
2. -Pere- means superiority if it is an adjective or repetition of actions, if part of speech is a verb. For example, a wonderful reboot.
3. -Anti \ contra- are prefixes that show the opposite meaning. For example, a counterattack.
4. -Pri- “joining, approaching” matters: come, seaside.
5. -Over- indicates that something is on top of another. The prefix -sub- has the opposite meaning.
6. -O \ ob- indicates the presence of an error, indicates the result that remained after some action. For example, a typo, splinters and others.
7. The prefix -not- has the meaning of "denying" anything.
8. -Do- marks the end of the action: got, informed.
9. -Re- often indicates the beginning of a repeating action or process. For example, reorganization and so on.
10. -B- means inward movement. On the contrary, the prefix -you- indicates action from within, outside.
11. -De \ des- have the meaning of "removal, termination" of something. For example, disinfection.
12. Moreover, in Russian there are prefixes that indicate the direction: -for- this is behind, behind; -on- is from above, above something; -po- is when something is on the surface of something; -between- this is among something.

Affixation is what helps enrich any language with new words. Russian has a lot of prefixes and suffixes. Sometimes it is difficult for foreigners to apply them correctly in practice. I wonder how Russian affixes differ from foreign affiliates?

Suffixes in English

Affixation in English is the same word formation. They can be divided into groups depending on their properties.

1. Suffixes that identify the characteristics of various professions. These include: -er, -ent \ ant, -ian, -ess. For example, write - writer.
2. Another group of suffixes forms a noun from the verb. Among them are the following: -ment, -ion, -ism. By themselves, they mean some kind of action, process or phenomenon. For example, revolution (revolution), movement (movement, movement).
3. Suffixes indicating state or quality, property: -ance / -ence, -dom, -hood, -ity, -ness, -ship, -th. For example, childhood (childhood), freedom (will, freedom).
4. There is a separate group of suffixes that form only adjectives. Each of them has its own meaning: -ful - complete; -less - the absence of anything; -able, -ible - defines a quality or property; -ic and -al - associated with something; -ous - passes the characteristic of the subject; -ish - this is similar or expresses nationality; -ive is a property of something;
5. Verbs are formed using the following suffixes: -ate, -en, -ify, -ize, -ise. For example, activate, verify.
6. Adverbs have one suffix -ly (loudly - loudly).

Prefixes

English also has prefixes that help form new words. These include:

1. The prefixes il- and ir- must be used before the letters l- and r-: logical - illogical (logical / illogical).
2. Im- should be placed before the letter p-. For example, imposible (impossible), impolite (impolite).
3. In- usually faces s- or as-: inaccurate (sloppy).
4. The prefixes un- and dis- have a negative meaning, they indicate the absence or lack of something. For example, disorganized (disorganized), dissatisfy (not satisfy).
5. Mis- means “wrong, wrong”: misfortune (failure), misleading (misguided).
6. Co- means “cooperation”: cooperate.
7. The prefixes over- and out- are often used to indicate superiority over something, to show excessiveness. For example, overcome (overcome), outclass (surpass).
8. Repeatability of the action can be specified using the prefix re-: remove (move), return (return).
9. De- means "reverse, opposite": defrost (defrost).
10. Pre- indicates an action or process that was before, before something. For example, prejudgement (condemn ahead of time).
11. The prefix sub- has the meaning of "reduction, reduction."

Almost all prefixes are negative. However, some may indicate the absence or lack of something. It is necessary to understand this fine line in order to learn how to use prefixes correctly in English.

In Russian and English, you can find prefixes or suffixes that reflect a single meaning. We can see this on the example of the prefixes re- and re-, which means repetition of action.