This paper addresses the problem affix-addition order specification in cases where both prefixes and suffixes are present. After describing the solutions presented by some outstanding theoretical approaches, we show that the order issue does not constitute a problem for some theoretical conceptions. As a result, we argue that the problem must be understood from the point of view of the lexical item morphosemantic (semasiological) structure. Based on examples of neological lexical items, we present criteria for the identification of the preferred structure in each case, as well as examples in which two structures seem to be equally possible. We note that three criteria aid the identification of the morphosemantic structure: the impossibility of intermediate forms, the existence of morphosyntactic restrictions to the use of affixes, and, especially, the meaning of the derived lexical item. We also describe cases in which there seems to be some polysemy that results from the structural ambiguity in the interpretation of the derived item.
Derivation; Morphological structure; Neologism; Word-formation; Affix; Morphology
