Transfix

You're probably very familiar with the definitions of prefixes and suffixes. But did you know there are other similar structures that attach to root words in different ways? One such structure is the transfix. Although relatively uncommon, transfixes appear in some languages through root-and-pattern morphology. The pattern of transfixation can be difficult for English speakers to grasp, but some examples from other languages will clear up the distinction.

Definition of Transfix

Transfixes are special morphemes that disperse themselves throughout other morphemes. The act of attaching a transfix is called transfixation.

That definition warrants a few others.

Transfixation in Morphology

Now for a more detailed morphological description of transfixes. Transfixes are bound morphemes and are part of the category of discontinuous affixes.

Morphemes like -ing, non-, -ness, re-, and -er are bound morphemes because they carry meaning but can't stand alone as complete words.

You're probably more familiar with continuous affixes, which appear in one piece. The suffix -ation, for example, attaches fully to the end of the base. If -ation were a discontinuous affix, it would separate and attach to the base in multiple places. You'll see examples of this later.

Synonyms of Transfix

The term transfix falls under the larger category of affixes, and it shares qualities and patterns with other members of the category. Affixes take multiple forms, including prefixes, suffixes, infixes, circumfixes, and transfixes.

The primary affixes found in English are prefixes and suffixes. These affixes are the easiest to grasp for English speakers. Some common prefixes are un- as in unbelievable and pre- as in predetermine. Suffixes include morphemes like -ism, as in ageism, and -ing, as in running.

Infixes don't appear as much in English. These are affixes that are inserted into the middle of a base. One of the only instances of infixation in English is in hyperbole and swearing. A hyperbolic expression like abso-freaking-lutely inserts freaking into the middle of absolutely. This same structure is used to emphasize the emotion in several expressions—use your imagination and you can probably think of a few alternatives!

Fig. 1 - Infixes are sometimes used to swear or speak hyperbolically in English.

Circumfixes are the opposite of infixes: they break themselves in two and attach to both sides of a base. This structure is also not common in English. You can find circumfixes, though, in some old-fashioned English songs. A traditional English Christmas song called Here We Come A-Wassailing uses circumfixes: a- and -ing are parts of the same affix, which attaches itself to wassail.

Transfixes and Root Words

Finally, transfixes are unique from other affixes because they are spread out through the base. They're most commonly found in languages with a morphological structure called root-and-pattern morphology.

In languages with root-and-pattern morphology, the base of a word is the root, and the transfix is the pattern. The root provides a framework of consonants, and the pattern inserts a series of vowels and other sounds between the consonants.

You can apply several patterns to the same root. The consonants from the root form the base of the resulting word, and the vowels added by the pattern form the transfix.

Fig. 2 - In root-and-pattern morphology, roots and patterns fit together like puzzle pieces to form new words.

Transfix Examples

Root-and-pattern morphology appears in Semitic languages. Languages in the Semitic family are spoken throughout North Africa and Northwestern Asia. The most widely-spoken Semitic languages are Arabic and Hebrew, but the family also includes Maltese, Amharic, Tigrinya, Tigré, and Aramaic.

Here's an example from Arabic.

Applying these patterns to the root SLM gets you these words.²

Notice that the resulting words have a meaning that relates to peace. The vowels that form the transfix add meaning to the root.

Some patterns add consonants as well as vowels to the root. You can see this in this example from Modern Hebrew.

Applying these patterns to the root GDL results in these words.¹

Just like in the Arabic example, you can see that the meaning of the resulting words relates to the meaning of the root. The transfix adds meaning to the base and contributes to the overall purpose of the word.