Linguistics and Morphology: Key Concepts and Examples

Free morpheme

A base word that can stand alone

Free Morpheme example

Heat

Bound morpheme

A word part that cannot stand alone

bound morpheme example

un-, -ject

Inflectional morpheme

A suffix that's added to a word to assign a grammatical property, such as tense, number, possession, or comparison

Inflectional morpheme example

run to running; running is not a new word, just a change in tense

Derivational morpheme

A affix (prefix or suffix) that derives or creates a new word or part of speech

Derivational morpheme example

obey to disobey; creates a new word, clear — clearance; changes the part of speech from verb to noun

Compound words

Words created by joining free morphemes together

Compound words example

rain + bow = rainbow

Morphology centers around four aspects

Prefixes

Suffixes

Base words

Root words

A root word (bound morpheme- example: un-,-ject) is the ...

most basic part of a word.

T/F : The root word DOES NOT have an affix attached to it and can not stand alone

True

T/F: Unlike a base word (free morpheme- example: heat) that CAN stand alone

True

Affix

A group of words that come before or after a word that has its own meaning.

Suffix

A group of letters that come after a root word

Prefix

A group of letters that come before a root word : Example

Identify the Prefix, base word, and suffix of "Reaction"

RE- ACT- TION

Contextual analysis :

Helps students to identify unknown words, but it can also help students determine the word's meaning. This is often referred to as context clues.

What does syntax refer to?

The rules that create the structure of sentences.

How do syntax rules affect sentences?

They create meaning within sentences.

How can knowledge of syntax help students?

It can assist with both word identification and word meaning.

What are synonyms?

Two words that have similar meanings.

Give an example of synonyms.

small and tiny

What are antonyms?

Two words that have opposite meanings.

Give an example of antonyms.

heavy and light

What are homographs?

Words that are spelled the same but have different meanings and different pronunciations.

Give an example of homographs.

Ed played the bass while I fished for bass.

Give another example of homographs.

Bob was content with his life. The movie had inappropriate content.

What are homophones?

Two words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings.

Give an example of homophones.

ate (past tense of eat) and eight (the number)

What are homonyms?

Words that are pronounced and spelled the same but have different meanings.

Give an example of homonyms.

You read your book while I book the hotel room.

Give another example of homonyms.

Turn right at the next street. You made the right decision.

What are analogies?

Compare two things based on like qualities.

Give an example of an analogy.

right : left :: calm : chaos

When considering a student's oral language development...

it is important to acknowledge a student's social and linguistic background. Different areas have differences in communication styles and social norms.

What is a dialect?

A dialect is when there are distinguished features in speech that are spoken by a group of people, usually regionally similar or from a specific time period.

How might an author use dialect in their writing?

An author might write using a specific dialect, which can affect the purpose of the text.

What historical events can influence language?

Changes in leadership, major conflicts, and government actions.

What social and technological factors can affect language use?

Shifts in family life, new inventions, music, and everyday behaviors.

How do background and life experiences shape language?

A person's upbringing, personal experiences, social group, and access to learning opportunities.

What family and traditions influence language patterns?

Beliefs, customs, daily routines, and foods shared within households.

How can belief systems affect language?

Spiritual or religious practices may affect the way people use certain words or expressions.

How does where someone lives impact language?

A person's region or environment can impact word choice, expressions, and pronunciation.

What is orthography?

The practice or study of correct spelling and the study of letters and how they are used to express sounds and form words.

What is semantics?

The study of meaning in language, including the meanings of words, phrases, sentences, and texts.

What are dialects?

Distinguished features in speech that are spoken by a group of people; usually regionally similar.

What can features of dialect include?

Unique pronunciation of phonemes, regional words (i.e. slang, colloquialisms), and accents.

What is diction?

The words someone chooses to use.

What is figurative language?

Figurative language refers to the use of words or expressions that deviate from their literal meanings to create a particular effect or evoke a specific image or idea.

What does figurative language add to writing?

Figurative language adds depth, vividness, and creativity to writing by using imaginative and non-literal language.

What are some literary devices used in figurative language?

Some literary devices used in figurative language include similes, metaphors, personification, hyperbole, and idioms.

What does connotative language involve?

Emotional and societal associations or meanings that words carry beyond their literal definitions.

What is denotative meaning?

The dictionary definition of a word.

What is connotative meaning?

The subjective and contextual meanings that people associate with a word.

How can connotations vary?

They can vary depending on individual experiences and societal influences.

Why is understanding connotations important?

It is crucial for fully grasping the intended tone, atmosphere, and implications of a text.

What is a strategy for deciphering figurative and connotative language?

Identify the figure of speech or connotation used in the text.

What should you consider when interpreting figurative language?

Look at the sentences and paragraphs surrounding the figurative or connotative language for context.

How can comparisons help in understanding figurative language?

Look for examples in the text that compare the literal meaning of a word or phrase to something else.

What role does prior knowledge play in understanding figurative language?

Use your own prior knowledge and experience to help make sense of figurative and connotative language.

Based on the context of the paragraph, what does the word "haunting" imply?

The painting hanging on the gallery wall captured my attention with its haunting presence. The artist's deft brushstrokes and choice of colors conjured an atmosphere of ethereal beauty intertwined with a subtle sense of unease. The figures depicted in the artwork seemed to float in an otherworldly realm, their gazes evoking a mix of longing and melancholy. This haunting piece of art left an indelible impression, provoking introspection and stirring emotions that lingered long after I turned away.

A. An experience that is deeply unsettling or evokes strong emotions

B. An experience that is joyous and lighthearted

C. An experience that is forgettable and unremarkable

D. An experience that is mystical and enchanting

A

When encountering unfamiliar or uncommon words or phrases in a paragraph or passage, there are several strategies that you can use to determine their meaning. These strategies include using:

context clues

analyzing word parts

inferring meaning from tone and style

Based on the passage, what does word artifact mean?

The archaeologist carefully sifted through the soil, searching for artifacts that would shed light on the history of the ancient civilization. As she worked, she uncovered a small ceramic vessel that was intricately decorated with images of animals and plants. The artifact was a rare find, and the archaeologist was eager to study it further.

A. An object observed by scientists

B. An object created by humans with societal or historical meaning

C. A bowl or dish

D. An object decorated with images

B

KIM Strategy

Another graphic organizer is the KIM strategy. Students list the Keyword, Information about the word, and a Memory Clue to help them remember the word.

Vocabulary Sort

When learning a variety of words, students can look for commonalities between words and sort them based on their similarities. This helps students gain a deeper understanding of the words. Vocabulary sorts can be used in many different ways

What is semantic mapping?

Semantic mapping is a graphic organizer used to visually map or web the connections between words or concepts.

Where does the keyword go in a semantic map?

The keyword goes in the middle of the web.

What stems out from the keyword in a semantic map?

Categories of connected words and phrases stem out from the keyword.

What can be difficult for students when using semantic mapping?

Sometimes, it can be difficult for students to complete semantic mapping.

How can teachers assist students with semantic mapping?

Teachers can start off with a keyword, brainstorm other words that connect, and then sort those words into groups.

Word Wall

An area in the classroom where students can look for assistance with new vocabulary words. The word wall should be easily visible and accessible so that students can utilize the resource in speaking and writing. Students can engage in helping to build a word wall around a specific topic or unit of study.

Exposure to Texts

One important aspect of vocabulary development is the text being presented to students. It is important to use a variety of texts that will increase exposure to different types of vocabulary words

Literature

Informational

Argumentative

MultiModal

Digital

What is word analysis?

Used to determine the meaning of individual words

What is background knowledge in reading?

Previous experience with the topic of a text; more experience increases understanding

What does reading experience refer to?

Awareness of concepts of print and previous exposure to implementing reading skills; more experience aids comprehension.

What is vocabulary in the context of reading?

Knowing the meaning of words in the text; explicitly teach important words for a passage if necessary.

What is fluency in reading?

Reading the passage effortlessly; provides the capacity for the brain to focus on comprehension.

What is self-monitoring in reading?

Ability to know and check if reading makes sense and apply strategies if it doesn't.

What are text characteristics?

Understanding text structures and features based on the type of text; more knowledge and experience increases comprehension.

What is Literal Comprehension?

It is the reader's ability to remember ideas and information directly stated in the material.

What is Interpretive or Inferential Comprehension?

It is the reader's ability to extract ideas and information not directly stated in the material, using prior or background knowledge to assist in understanding.

What is Critical Comprehension?

It is the reader's ability to respond with personal judgments and ideas about the content of the material, using his or her past knowledge and thoughts on the subject.

Metacognition

The process of thinking about your own thinking and learning. This process is crucial for comprehension while reading literary texts because students must constantly be thinking about what they are reading to gain a full understanding of the entire text.

What are metacognition strategies for reading?

Predicting, Questioning, Summarizing, Visualizing, Making Connections, Inferring, Synthesizing, Determining importance, and Reviewing

Predicting

Use clues from the text to think about what might happen next

What does questioning involve in reading?

Ask questions to help you understand.

What is clarifying in the context of reading?

Monitoring your own reading to ensure understanding and fixing confusion.

What does summarizing require you to do?

Tell in your own words the most important details from the story in order.

What is visualizing while reading?

Creating images in your mind using the descriptions in the text.

What does making connections mean in reading?

Connecting what you read to what you already know (Text-to-Text, Text-to-Self, Text-to-World).

What is inferring in reading comprehension?

Using clues from the text and your background knowledge to understand what is not explicitly stated.

What does synthesizing involve?

Bringing ideas together to make a new idea.

What does determining importance mean?

Identifying and thinking about the most important ideas and information.

What is the purpose of reviewing while reading?

Stopping to reflect on what you have read so far and what has changed since you started reading.

Strategic readers involve many activities along the process of reading which occur in three stages:

before reading, during reading, and after reading.

Before Reading:

previewing, predicting, prior knowledge, purpose, vocabulary

During Reading

questioning, monitoring, rereading, note-taking, paragraph shrinking

After Reading

summarize, sequence, discussion, application