Agglutinated Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

๐Ÿ”—
Add to dictionary

agglutinated

[ษ™หˆษกluหtษชneษชtษชd ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

linguistics term

Agglutinated refers to a type of language in which words are formed with various morphemes that can be attached together in a string. This process results in complex words that convey specific grammatical relationships and meanings through the addition of prefixes, suffixes, and infixes.

Synonyms

cumulative, polymeric.

Examples of usage

  • Turkish is an agglutinated language that uses multiple affixes.
  • In agglutinated languages, verbs often have many attached morphemes.
  • Agglutinated structures can make translation challenging.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Linguistics

  • In agglutinative languages, such as Turkish and Finnish, words can be formed by adding affixes to a root, which express different grammatical functions.
  • This structure allows for very long words that can convey complex ideas, such as 'unhappiness' being expressed as 'not happy'.

Cultural Perspective

  • Languages like Japanese and Swahili use agglutination extensively, showcasing a diverse range of expression and meaning.
  • Understanding agglutination can enhance language learning by showing how meanings are constructed in different linguistic cultures.

Psychology of Language

  • Learning agglutinated structures can challenge and enhance cognitive flexibility, as it encourages learners to think about words differently.
  • Studies suggest that children who are exposed to agglutinative languages may develop different language processing skills compared to those learning non-agglutinative languages.

Pop Culture

  • Agglutination often appears in fantasy literature, where invented languages use this technique to create unique names and phrases.
  • Popular video games often incorporate agglutinative language structures in their made-up languages, adding depth to their world-building.

Origin of 'agglutinated'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'agglutinate' comes from the Latin 'agglutinare', which means 'to glue together'.
  • It was first used in linguistic studies in the 19th century to describe how certain languages create words by combining smaller parts.

The term 'agglutinated' is derived from the Latin word 'agglutinare', which means 'to glue together'. This linguistic concept was first introduced in the early 20th century by linguists who focused on the structural properties of languages. They studied how languages like Turkish, Finnish, and Japanese construct words through systematic combinations of morphemes. The agglutination process stands in contrast to fusional languages, where morphemes may blend together, making it harder to identify individual components. This characteristic has led to extensive research and discussion on how agglutinated languages function and how they differ from other language types.


Word Frequency Rank

At rank #28,217, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.