Circumfix

Circumfix: Definition and Structure

A circumfix is a discontinuous morpheme that attaches to a root word. Unlike prefixes or suffixes, a circumfix has two parts: one segment appears before the root, and the other segment appears after the root. Together, these two parts form a single semantic or grammatical unit.

Key Concepts

• Root: The base form of a word that carries the primary meaning.
• Prefix: The part of the circumfix that precedes the root.
• Suffix: The part of the circumfix that follows the root.
• Discontinuous Morpheme: A morpheme that is split into two or more parts.

Deep Dive

Circumfixes are less common than prefixes or suffixes in many languages. Their function can vary widely, from marking grammatical categories like tense, mood, or voice, to derivational processes that change the word’s meaning or part of speech.

Consider the German example of ge- and -t in past participles:

sagen (to say) -> ge-sag-t (said)
sehen (to see) -> ge-seh-t (seen)

Here, ge- and -t work together to form the past participle.

Applications and Examples

Circumfixes are found in various languages:

• German: As seen with past participles (e.g., lachen ‘to laugh’ -> ge-lach-t ‘laughed’).
• Dutch: Similar to German, used for past participles.
• Klamath: A Native American language with extensive use of circumfixes for verb conjugation.

Challenges and Misconceptions

It can be challenging to distinguish circumfixes from a combination of a prefix and a suffix that happen to occur together. The key is whether the two parts function as a single morphological unit, often conveying a unified grammatical meaning.

FAQs

Q: Are circumfixes common?
A: No, they are less common than prefixes or suffixes in many widely spoken languages.

Q: Can a circumfix change a word’s meaning?
A: Yes, circumfixes can be derivational, altering the word’s meaning or lexical category.