sufixi

Sufixi is a term used primarily in theoretical linguistics to denote a proposed class of suffix-like morphemes that attach to root words to mark derivational or grammatical information. In discussions that extend standard affix categories, sufixi are described as semi-independent units that can interact with phonology and syntax in distinctive ways, sometimes forming multi-element affix sequences.

Etymology and usage in literature: The coinage and definition of sufixi vary by source. The word appears in a small number of online glossaries and typological discussions, with no single authoritative origin. As a result, scholars often treat sufixi as a provisional label rather than a universally defined category.

Characteristics: In proposed models, sufixi may attach to verbs, nouns, and other word classes, and they can be derivational, inflectional, or both. Some accounts allow sufixi to combine with ordinary suffixes, creating longer affix stacks, while others view them as a separate layer of morphology that interacts with phonology and prosody in unique ways. The evidence remains limited.

Relation to other concepts: Sufixi are frequently discussed alongside traditional affixes, clitics, infixes, and circumfixes. Critics argue that sufixi overlap with existing categories, while proponents regard them as a useful theoretical construct for exploring non-standard affixation in language variety and constructed languages.

See also: suffix, morphology, affix, clitic, typology, constructed language.