Here's why:
* Origin: "-able" originated from the Latin suffix "-abilis." This means it's ultimately a borrowed suffix, not a native one.
* Evolution: While English has adopted "-able" and integrated it into its word formation processes, it's not like suffixes that originated from Proto-Germanic or Old English roots.
* Productivity: "-able" is highly productive, meaning it is frequently used to create new words. However, this doesn't change its origin.
Evidence of "-able" being a borrowed suffix:
* Directly traceable to Latin: The form and meaning of "-able" are clearly linked to the Latin "-abilis."
* Other suffixes: English has other Latin-derived suffixes, such as "-ible" and "-ive," showing a trend of borrowing from Latin.
Conclusion:
While "-able" is a highly productive suffix in English, it's not a "native" suffix in the strict sense. It originated in Latin and has been adopted into the English language.