WORD FORMATION: PREFIXES, SUFFIXES, AND ROOT WORDS
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Word formation is a fundamental aspect of linguistic structure and development, playing a crucial role in vocabulary expansion, language acquisition, and comprehension. This study explores the morphological processes involved in word formation, with a focus on the roles of prefixes, suffixes, and root words in English. Prefixes and suffixes, collectively known as affixes, are essential for modifying and extending the meaning of base words. Root words, often derived from Latin and Greek origins, serve as the core semantic units from which new words are formed. By analyzing the morphological composition of complex words, this article highlights how affixation contributes to semantic precision, syntactic flexibility, and lexical productivity. The research also examines the pedagogical implications of teaching word formation in language education, emphasizing how morphological awareness can improve reading comprehension, spelling, and vocabulary retention. Data from corpus linguistics and classroom-based studies are utilized to demonstrate common patterns of word formation and their cognitive impact on learners. Additionally, the paper discusses how digital tools and morphological analyzers aid in understanding and teaching word structure. Findings suggest that systematic instruction in prefixes, suffixes, and root words significantly enhances linguistic competence, particularly among second language learners. Ultimately, this article underscores the importance of morphological knowledge in both theoretical linguistics and practical language instruction, advocating for its integration into educational curricula to support deeper lexical understanding and more effective communication.
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References
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