2. Summary
• In English six diminutive suffixes can be found.
• They are morphemes that convey a meaning of smallness or
endearment or both.
• They are:
1. -ie, -i, -y
2. -ette
3. -kin, -ikini, -kins
4. -ling
5. -et
6. -let
3. Suffix /i/
The first suffix pronounced /i/ and spelled -ie, -i, and -y,
is highly productive. It is frequently attached to one
syllable first names to suggest endearment and intimacy or
smallness as in
1. Auntie
2. Geri
3. Willy
4. • Similarly, it is attached to common nouns, sometimes
indicating a diminutive notion about a participant in a
discourse more than about one person or thing being
referred to, as in doggie, sweetie, birdie, or mommy.
Exemples:
A. SUFFIX -ie
Auntie
Sweetie
Jackie
B. SUFFIX -y
Cloudy
Mickey
Mikey
Johnny
Betty
5. Furthermore, in some words, such
as cabinet /kæbənɪt/and toilet /tɔɪlɪt/, the meaning
of the diminutive suffix has faded away to little or
no significance.
Exemples:
-ette: roomette
-kin: lambkin
-kins: babykins
-ling: duckling
-et: circlet
-let: starlet
6. Nearly, all these suffixes have lost the diminutive
sense that was once alive in them.
Examples:
Mosquito
puppet
Pupil
Novel
Muscle
Particle
Formula
