What is a derivational affixation?

Derivational affixation is the process of adding affixes to roots or bases in order to vary function or modify meaning. Affixation transforms a stem or word from one part of speech to another (from one word class to another).

Here are some examples of derivational affixation:

• hit (verb) to strike something + -er equals hitter (noun); a person who strikes something
• bright (adjective) the quality of emitting a lot of light + -ly equals brightly (adverb); manifesting the characteristic of being bright

• Concept module: derivational affixation
• In overview module: Glossary (Literacy): D
• In modular book: Glossary of literacy terms
• In document collection: Reference materials
• In bookshelf: Literacy

This page is an extract from the LinguaLinks Library, Version 4.0, published on CD-ROM by SIL International, 1999. [Ordering information.]

Page content last modified: 2 July 1998

© 1999 SIL International