A STUDY OF MORPHO-SEMANTIC IMPLICATIONS OF NEGATIVE PREFIXES IN ADJECTIVES

Abstract

To form additional word in English, the concept of affixation is
applied. The concern is the addition of negative prefixes to adjectives
for the formation of additional a word with a distinct meaning. This
seems to be confusing to many because some adjectives carry multiple
negators and their meanings are different in all senses. It is against
this backdrop that this paper is to analyse the semantic implications
of some negative prefixes in adjectives. Common negative prefixes and
adjectives are used for the study. Data were collected using proforma
and respondents were English language students in Nigeria
Certificate in Education. Thematic-based method of analysis was
employed to identify and select the attachment of negative prefixes to
adjectives as contained in the proforma. The result shows that
different shades of meaning that ordinarily cannot cross the mind of
learners have been identified. The result also reveals that there are
adjectives which carry multiple negative prefixes, some of which are
not ordinarily used. Interestingly, two kinds of adjectives are
identified which negative prefixes can be attached to: core and
derived; therefore, learners should pay attention to the concept of
negative prefixes in adjectives in order to communicate.