TUTORIAL-INTRODUCTION TO LINGUISTICS MORPHOLOGY

EXERCISE 1

Define the term morpheme and use the word <house> as an example to explain the concept.

EXERCISE 2

Morphemes consist of form end meaning. Please differentiate between simplex and complex
morphemes and mention the meaning and form of the following morphemes as presented on the
right hand side.

Pay attention to the notation rules!

ball

untrue

forest

tables

retry

remain

EXERCISE 3

Carry out a morphological analysis of the word <unbreakable> by going through the following steps.

a. What is the root of the complex word <unbreakable>? What is its meaning?
b. What are the affixes (prefixes and/or suffixes) in the word? What are their meanings?
c. Name the base for each affix.
d. Decide for each of the affixes whether it is derivational or inflectional. Explain your choices.
EXERCISE 4

Carry out a morphological analysis of the word <investments> by going through the following steps.

a. What is the root of the complex word <investments>?

What is its meaning?

b. What are the affixes (prefixes and/or suffixes) in the word? List them in the left column of
the table below. For each single affix, state whether it is derivational or inflectional and
shortly explain why.

affix derivational or inflectional? explanation

EXERCISE 5

What are the allomorphs in the dataset below and what is their morpheme?

stabbed [stæbd] added [ædəd] missed [mɪst]

tripped [tɹɪpt] praised [pɹeɪzd] faded [feɪdəd]

EXERCISE 6

What are the allomorphs of the morpheme {RESIGN} in the example below? State the rules of their
distribution and determine what leads to the allomorphy of the morpheme {RESIGN}.

resign [ɹɪzaɪn]

resignation [ɹezɪgneɪʃən]

EXERCISE 7

Take a look at the different transcriptions of the morpheme {THE}/{DEFINITE ARTICLE} in the data
below and proceed as follows.
the dog /ðə ‘dɑg/ the act /ðɪ ‘ækt/ the wind /ðə ‘wɪnd/ the ear /ðɪ ‘ɪə/

a. What are the different allomorphs of the morpheme {THE}/{DEFINITE ARTICLE}?

b. What leads to the allomorphy of the morpheme {THE}/{DEFINITE ARTICLE}?
EXERCISE 8

Identify the type of word-formation process by which the following words have been created. Explain
in detail how they are derived.

a) Bart
b) fireplace
c) smog
d) gas
e) UN
f) empty – (to) empty
g) fire extinguisher
h) motel
i) job-hopper
j) frenemy
k) dorm
l) narrow – (to) narrow