A Comparative Study of the Prefixal Differences in Pashto and English: A Case Study of the Prefixes of Quantity

Abstract

Word formation is a crucial aspect of every language spoken around the world, and understanding the role of prefixes, particularly those indicating quantity, can reveal significant insights into how different languages construct meaning. This study aims to examine the similarities and differences in prefixes of quantity used in English and Pashto, thereby shedding light on their respective word formation processes. The researchers employed a qualitative research approach to conduct a comparative analysis of these prefixes in both languages. The findings indicate that quantity prefixes in Pashto differ from those in English. In Pashto, these prefixes change in both spelling and pronunciation when used with nouns due to their gender-specific nature. In contrast, English prefixes are not gender specific. Future researchers can compare Pashto with other languages to explore the differences between gender-specific and gender-neutral prefixes used for quantity.