Download Morphology Monday- introduction

Welcome to
Morphology Monday
Everything you need to know
before the fun begins!!!
It’s Morphology Time!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOJrjNR7ZZM&feature=youtu.be
What is Morphology?
Morphology is the study of word
meaning by examining the units of
meaning within a word.
Morphology
The bits and pieces of meaning within words.
What is a Morpheme?
The smallest unit of meaning.
It may be an entire word (cat) or an
element of a word (re- and -ed in
reappeared).
What is an Affix?
An affix is a morpheme that is attached to a
word stem to form a new word.
What are the types of Affixes?
• Prefix – a meaningful segment that attaches
to a Base word. The prefix changes the
meaning of the Base.
• Suffix – a segment that attaches to the end of
a Base. The suffix determines the
grammatical function of the word. (noun,
adjective, verb, etc.)
Prefixes
• Prefixes can be added to the beginnings of
many words to change the word’s meaning.
• For example, the prefix un- gives the opposite
meaning to any word it is added to.
• Some prefixes have more than one meaning
but having these memorized will enable your
vocabulary to exceed its normal range.
Suffixes
• A suffix is placed at the end of a word or part
of a word.
• When you add suffixes you often change the
word’s function (part of speech) as well as its
meaning.
• Check out the example on the next slide.
Word Sum
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ex + claim -- exclaim
Ex + claim + ate + ion --- exclaimation (noun)
Claim + ant --- claimant (noun)
Claim + s --- claims (verb or plural noun)
Claim + ed --- claimed (verb)
Claim + ing --- claiming (verb)
Root Word
A Root Word is the original use and
meaning of a word.
These are often no longer “pure” or
necessarily current.
Latin, Greek and Old French are the 3
most common English derivatives.
Roots are Important to Meaning!!!
Latin and Greek roots are extremely important
in unlocking vocabulary you never knew
before.
For example if you know that there are two
Latin words that mean “light”- luc and lumyou can at least begin to figure out the words
on the following slide.
Can you figure out any of the
words below?
_____ is celebrating by making the place
luminous by arranging lights and burning the
crackers.
____ prescribes panda toenail unction to be
spread on the forehead before sleep to make
the dreams more lucid.
_____ adds the rice and cooks gently until the
grains begin to turn translucent.
_____ face was Illuminated by the winter sun.
Can you figure out any of
the words below?
Luminous
radiating or reflecting light
Lucid
easily understood, clear perception
or understanding
Translucent clear, easily understandable
Illuminate
To supply with light, to enlighten as
with knowledge
Luminary
a celestial body (sun or moon), a
body or object that gives off light
Extra Help!!!
It might have helped you on some of these
words to know some affixes for example:
 -ous is a suffix that creates an adjective
 Trans- means across or through
 Il- means not
What is a Base Word?
A Base Word is the word segment that is
currently being used in today’s world.
- Free Base – Can stand alone with no affix. <cause>
- Bound Base – Needs an affix for meaning – <ject>
- Base Word Rules A Base word may have more than 1 Prefix
and/or Suffix.
The Spelling Rules must be consulted
when trying to determine the Base word.
Words can have more than one
root, prefix, or suffix
• Words with 2 roots:
– Anthropology
– Barometer
– Photograph
– Psychology
• Words with 2 prefixes:
– Unenlightened
– Intercontinental
– Deconstruct
• Words with 2 suffixes:
– Anonymously
– Mindlessly
– brightened
AS WE READ. . .
In our reading, it is important to know
the Root Word as well as the Base
Word since much of the literature is
very old.
Questions of Reflection
Answer the following questions in complete
sentences:
1. How might knowing units of meaning within
a word help you to read better?
2. How might knowing units of meaning within
a word help you to write better?
3. Would this be useful to any other class you
currently have? Explain.
4. What are some differences between root
words and base words?