PRODUCTIVITY OF DERIVATIONAL AFFIXES IN MODERN ENGLISH

Abstract

Modern English's derivational affix production is essential to the language's ongoing development and adaptability.  By appending prefixes and suffixes to base forms, speakers can generate new words through derivational morphology, which promotes lexical innovation and linguistic creativity.  This study analyzes the frequency, semantic consistency, and structural compatibility of the most productive affixes in modern English.  The results demonstrate how affix productivity reflects social, cultural, and technical shifts and aids in vocabulary expansion.  Lexicography, natural language processing, and language instruction all benefit from an understanding of derivational productivity.