1.3.1

Morphology

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Grammar - Morphology

One thing to look at is how a word is formed – this is the study of morphology.

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Morpheme

  • Morphology looks at morphemes.
  • A morpheme is the smallest unit of meaning and they make up all words.
  • A morpheme can either be free, bound, a prefix or a suffix.
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Types of morphemes

  • A free morpheme can stand on its own.
    • E.g. Friend.
  • A bound morpheme can be added to the start or end of a free morpheme. If a bound morpheme is added to the start of a free morpheme, it is called a prefix-bound morpheme. If it is bound to the end of the free morpheme, it is called a suffix-bound morpheme.
    • E.g. Un (prefix-bound) + friend (free) + ly (suffix-bound) → unfriendly.
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Examples

  • Free morpheme: attractive.
    • With a prefix-bound morpheme: unattractive.
    • With a suffix-bound morpheme: attractively.
  • Free morpheme: figure.
    • With a prefix-bound morpheme: disfigure.
    • With a suffix-bound morpheme: figurine.
  • Free morpheme: mature.
    • With a prefix-bound morpheme: premature.
    • With a suffix-bound morpheme: maturely.

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1Language Levels

2Language, The Individual & Society

3Language Diversity & Change

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