Discrete Language Units: The Case of a Czech Circumfix

Next to multiword lexemes, such as idioms, discrete units may be found on a lower, i.e. a morphological level in language. A notable, rather widespread but neglected field is represented by circumfixes. i.e. discrete combinations of morphemes, such as the German gesprochen standing before and after a lexical morpheme, a stable combination of a prefix and suffix having a stable and fixed meaning and or function. A few examples in various languages as a general classification of this are briefly shown to indicate that the phenomenon of circumfix is by no means rare. In what follows a detailed analysis of a single Czech case of the circumfix z--lý is offered (such as in zhrublý, zesinalý), relating to verb bases. Here, both the regular and anomalous cases is pointed at and commented briefly upon.