Denote the definition of morpheme, stem, root and affix and give examples for instance.
a. Morpheme is the smallest meaningful unit in a language. A morpheme can not be divided without altering or destroying its meanings.
eg:
art/ist
wait/er
b. Stem (also the based form) is the part of the word which an inflectional affix can be added
Eg: In English the inflectional affix “s” can be added to the stem “work” to form the plural “works” in the “works of Ho Chi Minh president”
The stem of a word can be:
– a simple stem consisting of only one morpheme (root)
Eg: visited, boys, colder, coolest
– a root plus a derivational affix
Eg: workers, communists
– two or more roots
Eg: workshops, classrooms, babysisters
c. Root is a morpheme which is the basic part of the word and which may occur on its own or may be joined to ather roots
Eg: work : workshop
d. Affix
– is a letter or group of letters which is added to a word and which changes the meaning or function of the word
– affixes are bound forms that can be added:
a. to the beginning of the word (prefix). Eg: pre-school, uncomfortable, disagree
b. to the end of the word (suffix). Eg: careful, beautiful, development
c. within a word (infix). Eg: fisherman, handicraft, sportsman