Infixation Formatives in Polish Synchronic Word Formation

Abstract

Infixation formatives are situated within derivational stems. Expressive adjectives are constructed with infixes -ut- (cień-ut-ki) and -eń- (cieniut-eń-ki), while nouns with-eń- (cór-eń-ka) and -usz- (kwiat-usz-ek), respectively. Infixes are situated only before -k-. In adjectival derivatives the suffix -k- always comes last, however, these derivatives do not  terminate  the derivational chain,  since  infixation  is possible  (mal-ut-eń-ki).  In nominal derivatives,  linking expressive  suffixes with  -k- is very limited (matcz-ysko,wioszcz-yna). Infix derivatives are not numerous, however, there exist other derivational techniques. This  article presents  a new interpretation of previously known  facts. Though  this interpretation does not make the description more economical, it is perhaps more in accordance with intuitions, more natural, which is because a derivation involving mere adding  of  an  infix  is  less  complicated  than  reduction  combined with  adding  a  new suffix. The  text  also  discusses  the  proposals  found  in  Słownik  gniazd  słowotwórczych (Dictionary of derivational families) and suggests some improvements.