ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-NAV-G05-019 · ATLAS 259

Suffix

A suffix is a bound morphological element that follows its base.

Part of the subject path Morphology and Word Formation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

G · Foundational concept R2 · Necessary foundation

Suffix is needed to distinguish following bound elements from free sequences and other affix positions. This positional type does not determine whether the element is derivational or inflectional.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A suffix is a bound morphological element that follows its base. It can participate in inflection or lexical word formation; its function follows from its use, not position alone. The boundary with the base requires morphological justification. A recurring sequence of letters at word endings is not automatically a suffix, and sound adjustments may complicate segmentation. Within the broader category of affixes, the term identifies a position without claiming that every language expresses the same categories through endings or that each suffix has only one meaning.

Movement of thought

1. Compare word forms. 2. Identify recurring final elements. 3. Determine the base. 4. Examine function. 5. Consider sound variants.

Scientific use case

Morphological analysis can compare suffix form, function and distribution.

Example

In German Kind-er (“children”), -er contributes to plural formation; in freund-lich (“friendly”), -lich forms an adjective.

Counterexample

The letters -er at the end of an arbitrary proper name do not by themselves constitute a plural suffix.

Distinction

Distinguish a suffix from a final syllable, letter sequence and exclusively derivational affix.

Effect on thought and perception

Suffixes reveal word structure following a base.

Resonance

A new grammatical relationship can begin at a word's end.

Provenance

Parallel corpus 98f0950771ae4662f291d2f15f5c51b6797f3c20ba458a68615cdb177002ea18; case-bounded source review accepted; human specialist review not claimed.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Suffix“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-NAV-G05-019. ATLAS 259, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-019

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-NAV-G05-019

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