THE POLYSEMY OF AFFIXES: A MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This paper investigates the phenomenon of affixal polysemy, where a single affix carries multiple related or distinct meanings. Through cross-linguistic analysis, the study examines how semantic extension, grammaticalization, and contextual factors contribute to this linguistic phenomenon. The research demonstrates that affixal polysemy follows systematic patterns rather than arbitrary variations, with significant implications for morphological theory and language acquisition. Case studies from English, Russian, and Turkish illustrate the cognitive and historical processes underlying this pervasive feature of human language.