Mkanganwi, (2002), also presents seven elements where he comments that suffixes are derivational, while all inflectional affixes in Shona are prefixal and vice versa. While that is true with Shona and Langi, Kuria has eighteen, (Cammenga 2004), Runyambo thirteen, (Rugemalira 2005), Rutara eight slots (Muzale 1998), and Kiswahili has ten slots (Lindfors 2003).
Ferdinand de Saussure katika kile alichokiita ishara za kiisimu anabainisha sawia mbili za mahusiano haya; kwanza ni “signifie” ambacho ni kiashiria yaani umbo la kifonolojia (kutamkwa) au kiothografia (kuandikwa) na ambalo huwakilisha dhana Fulani. Kitu cha pili ni “significant” ambacho ni kiashiriwa ambacho ni kitu chenyewe kilicho katika ulimwengu halisi wa vitu na dhana.