Infiks

Infiks is a linguistic term describing a type of affix that is inserted inside a word stem, rather than at its beginning or end. The concept is closely related to infixation, a process found in a number of natural and constructed languages. The spelling infiks reflects orthographic traditions in languages that render the internal insertion as a distinct unit within the word.

Etymology and scope

The word infiks is formed from the general Latin-based elements for “in” and “fix,” underscoring its internal placement. In many linguistic descriptions, infiks is used to distinguish internal affixes from prefixes and suffixes, emphasizing position rather than a specific meaning. Some languages exhibit multiple infixes that interact with phonology and morphology in systematic ways.

Function and patterns

Infixed elements can carry information about tense, aspect, mood, voice, number, emphasis, or other grammatical or semantic categories. The exact position of an infix within a word varies by language; common patterns include insertion after an initial consonant or after a syllable boundary. Phonological adjustments often accompany infixation, such as changes in stress, vowel quality, or consonant harmony.

Distribution

Infixation is well documented in several language families, notably in Austronesian languages such as Tagalog, where internal affixation is a productive and recognizable mechanism. Other languages also employ infixes, though the specific inventories and rules differ widely. In linguistic literature, infiks is sometimes used as a variant spelling or a language-specific term for infixation.

See also

infix, affix, morphology, Tagalog, Austronesian languages.