WORD-BUILDING IN FAITH SPACES: HOW AFFIXES SHAPE MEANING ON ISLAMWEB.NET

Abstract

Morphological analysis remains a challenging area in linguistic research, especially in
distinguishing derivational from inflectional affixes, as their overlapping forms can blur the line
between grammatical function and lexical meaning. Despite their vital role in shaping language
structure and understanding, studies on affixation in digital religious discourse are limited. This
research addresses that gap by analysing derivational and inflectional affixes in selected articles
from Islamweb.net to (1) categorise the types of affixes used and (2) examine their role in word
formation. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, seven articles published from April to August
2024 were analysed with a content analysis framework, involving identification, classification,
tabulation, and description. Results show that inflectional affixes are more prevalent, mainly serving
grammatical functions to maintain syntactic cohesion, while derivational affixes contribute to
broadening semantic scope and lexical diversity. These findings highlight the dynamic link between
form and meaning in online religious language, emphasising the importance of morphological
awareness in understanding linguistic patterns in digital discourse. This study offers a novel
perspective on morphology by linking word-building processes to belief representation, highlighting
that affixation in religious texts is not merely formal but ideational—serving as a linguistic bridge
between grammatical form and spiritual meaning.