Affixation: prefixes and suffixes
base with or without a change of word class 1973: 430. An affix is a bound morpheme which may be attached at the beginning or end of a base word. In this
case, as affix is a morpheme, with only occurs when attached to some other morpheme, or morphemes such as root of stem or base. It is a morpheme that
cannot stand alone or bound morphemes. The process of affixation in morphology can be divided into:
a. Prefixes
A prefix is as affix attached before a root or stem or base like re-, un-, and in-. Katamba, 1993:44
b. Suffixes
A suffixes is as affixes attached after a root or stem or base like –ly,-er, -
ist, -s, -ing, and –ed. Katamba, 1993:44
c. Infixes
An infixes is an affix inserted into the root itself. Katamba, 1993:44 Based on the above definition, here are the examples:
1. Playing chess is enjoyable Quirk et al, 1973: 247
2. A trade arrangement should be no problem, and similarly a cultural
exchange could be arranged Quirk et al, 1973: 247 3.
This exhibition will be open until the end of May Thomson, 1986: 23 4.
He found impossible to study at home Thomson, 1986: 42
Enjoyable in the example number 1 is the word formed through
affixation. It is derived from the verb base enjoy with the addition of suffix –able.
The result of the process is the adjective enjoyable. This means that this word got class-changing suffixation. Exchange in the example number 2 is the noun
which is formed through affixation. This word derived from the verb base change with the addition of prefix ex-. So we can consider that the word exchange got
class-changing prefixation. However, the word exhibition in the example number 3 is the word formed through affixation. It is derived from the noun exhibit with
the addition of suffix
–ion. The result of this process is the noun exhibition. It
means that this word got class-maintaining suffixation. And lastly, the word
impossible in the example number 4. This word is adjective that is formed
through affixation. This word is derived from the adjective base possible with the addition of prefix im-. Therefore, we can consider the word Impossible to be
class-maintaining prefixation.