Editor's Corner

Today I have a few more of the rarer affixes for you: circumfix, suprafix, and simulfix. Just a reminder that an affix is a letter or sound added to a word to create a new word. So let’s see what and where we add sounds to create these three other affixes.

Circumfix

Circumfixes, appear at the beginning and the end of a root word, to create a new word. Circum– means “around,” like circumvent (to go around), circle (round figure), or circus (a ring, or circular arena). For example:

• enlighten– To make more knowledgeable.
• embolden – To make more confident.
• empowering – To give power to; enable.
• unreasonable – Not conforming to reason.

Suprafix

This is an interesting one. It isn’t so much about adding something to a word, but it is about the change in intonation—how words are pronounced to change their meaning. I suspect there are a lot more suprafixes in tonal languages. My friend spent a couple of years in Thailand and she said that you might look at the spelling of a word, and see one thing, but there were actually three pronunciations of the letters; if you used the wrong tone or pronunciation, you could be mixing up words like “uncle” and “goat.” But in English, there aren’t that many. Here are a few examples:

• proDUCE (verb) – To create, to make, to manufacture, to yield.
• PROduce (noun) – Fruit and vegetables.

• conDUCT (verb) – To direct the performance of (conduct an orchestra); to lead from a position of command.
• CONduct (noun) – Behavior.

• CONtent (noun) – Something contained. Substance, meaning.
• conTENT (adj) – Pleased, satisfied.

And lastly, we have simulfix. A simulfix is a change in a letter, usually a vowel, to change the word. In English, the vowel change usually creates a plural of the original word. For example:

• mouseàmice
• louseàlice
• manàmen
• womanàwomen
• footàfeet
• toothàteeth

I’m sure there are probably other affixes out there, but this seems like a good place to stop. I hope you’ve learned some interesting trivia for your next party—you’ll be the belle of the ball!

Kara Church | Technical Editor, Advisory | Knowledge Enablement

Pronouns: she/her | Call via Teams | jackhenry.com

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