THE CONCEPT OF MORPHEME
THE CONCEPT OF MORPHEME
- Definition
A morpheme can be loosely defined as a minimal unit having more or less
constant meaning associated with more or less constant form.
Morpheme is the
smallest meaningful unit in the grammar of language.
- Concept of
Morpheme
There are three points to note with respect to morphemes.
First, they are distinct from semantic
feature, in that morphemes have a more or less constant form, which is usually
reflected by they spelling.
Ex ; the sense
of the words man, boy, stallion, and colt.
Second, the definition of morpheme as a
minimal unit with more or less constant meaning associated with more or less
constant form should be taken as a general rule of thumb rather than a hard and
fast criterion
Ex : the word
boys and girls.
Boys → boy + s
Girls → girl + s
Where the –s in each word represent the same plural morpheme (the plural
morpheme is often symbolized (PLU) rather than (S) to distinguish it from other
morphemes spelled with – s, such as the possessive morpheme in boys)
Third, it is important to note that
identical spelling don’t necessary indicate the same morpheme
Ex : buyer and shorter
Buyer → means something like “one who”
Shorter → comparative morpheme
- Lexical and
Grammatical Morpheme
The distinction between lexical and grammatical morphemes is not well
defined, although many linguists seem to agree that is a useful division to
make
Lexical morphemes have a sense (i.e.
meaning) is and of them selves.
- Nouns : boy
- Verb : boy
- Adjective : big
Grammatical morphemes, on the other hand, don’t really have a sense in
and on themselves. Instead they express some sort of relationship between
lexical morphemes.
- preposition : at, on, beside etc
- article : a, an and the
- conjunction : but, and, both etc.
- Free and
Bound Morphemes
In contrast to the division between lexical and grammatical morphemes,
the distinction between free and bound morphemes is straight forward. Free
morphemes are those that can stand alone as words. They may be laxical (serve,
press) or they may be grammatical (at, and).
Bound morphemes, on the other hand, cannot stand alone as word. Like
wise, they may be lexical (clued) as in exclude, include and preclude or they
may be grammatical (Plu) plural as in boys, girls and cats.
- Inflectional
and Derivational Morphemes
Morphemes
Lexical Grammatical
Free Bound Free
Bound
Preposition Inflectional derivational
Noun Article
Verb Conjuctions
Adjective
Compress Subvert at
Depress Invert the
Oppress Convert and
Suppress
Inflectional Affixed
Inflectional
affixe
|
Root
|
Example
|
Plural
Possesive
Comparative
Superlative
Present
Past
Past
Participle
Present
Participle
|
Noun
Noun
Adjective
Adjective
Verb
Verb
Verb
Verb
|
Boys
Boy’s
Older
Olderst
Walks
Ealked
Driven
driving
|
Derivational
Affixes
-
Suffix (ize)
→ ize + noun =
verb adj +
ize =
Ex : ex
:
Critize normalize
Simanize realize
Rubberize finalize
Vulcanize vitalize
-
Suffix (Ful)
→ noun + ful = adjective
Ex.
Helpful
Careful
-
Suffix (ly)
→ noun + ly = adjective
Ex
:
Friendly
Manly
-
prefix (Un)
→ unhappy
Ex
:
Unforgettable
-
prefix (dis_
→ dislike
Distrust
-
prefix ( a )
→ asymmetrical
Asexual
-
prefix (anti)
→ anti castro