DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN CLITICS AND AFFIXES IN DEGEMA, NIGERIA

Abstract

The distinction between the affix and the clitic is sometimes not easy to make, as clitics also have some characteristics of affixes. This paper demonstrates that the clitic in Degema is distinct from the affix despite many features they have in common. Some of the criteria that are held to apply cross-linguistically do not absolutely distinguish the clitic from the affix in Degema. The paper provides background information as regards the elements that separate into clitics and affixes in Degema, features that are common to both clitics and affixes, and some of the features that are considered as distinguishing clitics from affixes. The definitions of the Degema clitic and affix, respectively, are proposed.