Sufiksowan

Sufiksowan is a linguistic term used to describe a word-formation system in which suffixes play the central role in creating and modifying words. The word is a coined descriptor derived from sufiks, the Polish word for suffix, combined with a productive agentive-suffixed form. In scholarly discussions, sufiksowan is used as a descriptive label rather than as the name of a specific language or well-defined typological category.

In sufiksowan systems, most lexical and grammatical changes are achieved through attaching suffixes to base forms rather than relying on prefixes or infixes. This typically results in a rich inventory of derivational and inflectional suffixes that convey a range of functions, including noun formation, adjective formation, verb derivation, case endings, number, tense, mood, and aspect. While the stem itself often remains relatively stable, some languages showing sufiksowan tendencies also exhibit limited stem modification or vowel alternations.

The concept is primarily used in typological and theoretical discussions to contrast suffix-heavy morphology with other morphological strategies such as prefixation or mixed affixation. It highlights how suffixes can drive both word meaning and grammatical function in a compact, modular way. Real-world languages frequently display a mix of suffixation with other processes, so sufiksowan is typically treated as a useful idealized framework for analyzing suffix-driven morphology rather than as a strict classification.

Critically, the term serves as a reminder of the central role suffixes can play in word formation and grammatical marking, while acknowledging the diversity of morphological systems across languages. See also morphology, word formation, affixation, derivation, inflection.