ATLAS OF LANGUAGE

AT-091-026 · ATLAS 260

Connecting element

An element between the components of a compound word that marks or facilitates their connection.

Part of the subject path Morphology and Word Formation

Why is this entry in the Atlas?

A · Analytical concept R1 · Distinct contribution to understanding

Linking element separates a present role in compound formation from the historical origin of its material. It tests boundaries among inflection, linkage and lexicalised form instead of reading every linking s as a genitive.

Colours and admission grounds

The rectangular label identifies the entry function: F – linguistic figure or procedure; A – analytical concept; G – foundational concept; E – selected concrete case. The rounded badge indicates the admission ground: R1 – distinctive contribution; R2 – necessary foundation; R3 – justified illustrative case. This editorial rationale explains the current selection rather than claiming an undocumented original selection history.

Explanation

A linking element is a phonological or morphological component at the boundary between the members of a compound, such as German -s- in Arbeitszeit. It connects components without always being analysable as an independent inflectional or derivational morpheme. Some linking forms historically derive from case or plural markers, yet their present distribution often follows lexical, phonological, and analogical patterns of its own. A linking element must therefore not automatically be interpreted as expressing current genitive or plural meaning. Its selection may organise word families, facilitate pronunciation, or conventionalise particular compounds, while remaining variable in some formations. The concept directs attention to a small boundary zone: two lexical units are not simply juxtaposed, for their connection acquires a historically and systemically shaped form of its own.

Movement of thought

1. Two lexical components are first combined as a compound and thereby create a morphological boundary. 2. Depending on word family and pattern, an additional segment or special form of the first member appears at that boundary. 3. Speakers recognise the whole formation and stabilise the choice through convention, analogy, rhythm, and phonological shape. 4. A counter-test separates a linking element from synchronic case or plural ending, derivational affix, stem alternant, and accidental contact. 5. The boundary form returns as part of the complete word; it shows that linguistic connection itself has a designed site.

Scientific use case

Morphology, lexicography, and psycholinguistics investigate corpus distribution, productivity, variant judgements, word families, and processing of novel compounds. Diachronic evidence separates origin from current function.

Example

German Arbeit and Zeit combine as Arbeitszeit. The -s- does not express present possession but belongs to a conventional pattern found in many compounds whose first member is Arbeit.

Counterexample

In a form such as German Kinderspiel, -er may also belong to an established stem or plural form. Paradigms, compound patterns, and distribution are needed to determine whether it functions as a linking element.

Distinction

Distinguish it from interfix, inflectional ending, genitive or plural marker, derivational affix, stem allomorph, epenthesis, and accidental boundary sound; do not equate historical origin with synchronic analysis.

Effect on thought and perception

Linking elements aid the integration and recognition of compounds and shape their rhythm; variable forms also expose the boundary among rule, lexicon, and analogy.

Resonance

A small sound appears between two words and belongs wholly to neither one; within this seam, the connection itself becomes audible.

Cite this entry

Reich, Michael (Hrsg./ed.): „Connecting element“. Atlas der Sprache, AT-091-026. ATLAS 260, data model 1.6.0. https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-091-026

https://atlasoflanguage.com/concept/AT-091-026

The address remains stable; editorial content may evolve. Editorial reading state: 2026-10-15. Include your access date for precise references.

Historical background

Fugenelement is a particularly elaborated category in German word-formation. It denotes sound material in the joint between meaningful constituents, such as s in Hochzeitstorte. Many forms developed historically from inflectional endings on preposed attributes but need not retain an inflectional function synchronically. The IDS reference distinguishes paradigmatic and non-paradigmatic linking elements and also includes borrowed material such as -o-. Grammis also records disagreement over whether paradigmatic forms merely resemble inflectional suffixes or actually are such suffixes. Distribution cannot therefore be reduced to one semantic rule; the Duden account also identifies regional and specialist variation. Connecting element is an explanatory English rendering, not an independently established equivalent tradition.

How conceptual history changes the analysis

A connecting element requires synchronic analysis in the particular word. Formal identity with a genitive or plural ending does not prove that the linker still carries that inflectional meaning.

References for the historical section

  • NEW-E-FUGE-IDS · Definition, paradigmatische und nicht paradigmatische Fugenelemente, examples
  • NEW-E-FUGE-DUDEN · Historical derivation from inflectional endings and modern non-inflectional function
Historical source evidence and Atlas applications remain separate; this import does not assert new first attestations or a fresh exhaustive source verification.