Suprafix

Suprafix

In linguistics, a suprafix is a type of affix where a suprasegmental change (such as tone or stress) modifies an existing morpheme's meaning. In many languages, they are used to differentiate between otherwise identical lexemes, but in some they are used derivationally or inflectionally.

An example in English is "proDUCE" and "PROduce", the former being a verb meaning to create or to bring forth, and the latter being an initial-stress-derived noun referring to farm products, especially fruits and vegetables.

Another is Mandarin 好 hǎo (to be good) and 好 hào (to find good), where the tone changes from low to falling.

See also

* Initial-stress-derived noun


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