infiksasi

Infiksasi, also known as infixation, is a morphological process in which an affix is inserted within the root or stem of a word rather than attached to its beginning or end. Unlike prefixes and suffixes, infixes interrupt the internal structure of the base, creating a new word that preserves the original lexical meaning while adding grammatical nuance or semantic modification. This process is prominent in several language families, including Austronesian, Dravidian, and Afro-Asiatic, as well as in various English dialects and pidgins.

In Indonesian, infiksasi is exemplified by the insertion of *-in-* between the initial consonant and the following vowel of a root, forming a nominal or verbal marker. For example, *buka* becomes *membuka* when the prefix *mem-* is applied, but in some dialects the infix *-in-* can transform *tahu* into *tihau*, indicating a different aspect. In languages such as Malay, the infix *-in-* can signal a passive voice, though the specific grammatical function depends on the morphological rules of each language.

Theoretical frameworks in generative morphology treat infixes as clausal boundary markers that can alter phonological segmentation. The placement of infixes is often governed by phonological or prosodic constraints, such as vowel harmony or stress patterns, ensuring that the resulting word remains phonotactically acceptable. Some languages restrict infix placement to particular morpheme positions, while others allow multiple infixes within a single word, yielding rich morphological variation.

Historical linguistics shows that infiksasi may arise through processes of clitic attachment, allomorphic reduction, or analogy. In many Austronesian languages, the infix has evolved from an original clitic that moved internally during word formation. Comparative studies of these languages reveal that the infix often preserves archaic grammatical distinctions lost in other families.

Overall, infiksasi demonstrates the flexibility of human language in shaping meaning through internal modifications. Its study provides insights into typological diversity, morphological theory, and the dynamic nature of word formation across linguistic landscapes.