The example "prefer" for base words is not correct in the video. "prefer" is a base word and not a root, as said in the video, because it consists of two morphemes. The problem occurs when saying it is not a stem. The morpheme "fer" is not a stem as it has no lexical meaning, which is also what is said in the video. "prefer" in its entirety is a stem with lexical meaning. So "prefer" is a base word and a stem.
The morpheme "fer" does indeed have lexical meaning. It means "to carry". As in transfer: ‘carry’ across, infer: ‘carry’ into, and coniferous: cone ‘carrying’. Also you contradicted yourself here: 0:38 "Roots are not always real words" 2:02 "All roots are basewords"
Exactly. A stem MUST have a lexical meaning while a base can have one but doesn't have to. I am not sure if this rule would apply 100% of the time, but think of it like this: "Every stem is a base, but not every base is a stem." If the base has lexical meaning, it is also a stem. If it doesn't, it is not a stem but just a base (or maybe a root as well)
The example "prefer" for base words is not correct in the video. "prefer" is a base word and not a root, as said in the video, because it consists of two morphemes. The problem occurs when saying it is not a stem. The morpheme "fer" is not a stem as it has no lexical meaning, which is also what is said in the video. "prefer" in its entirety is a stem with lexical meaning. So "prefer" is a base word and a stem.
However, the video was awesome 😇
The morpheme "fer" does indeed have lexical meaning. It means "to carry". As in transfer: ‘carry’ across, infer: ‘carry’ into, and coniferous: cone ‘carrying’. Also you contradicted yourself here: 0:38 "Roots are not always real words"
2:02 "All roots are basewords"
I've been struggling with understanding linguistics & this helps so much. Thank you! ❤
I am glad I could help you!
Im learning PIE and this was helpful
gilbert the goat
Thank you very much, that was useful ❤
Thank you very much for your positive feedback! :)
Thank you 🙏🏽
I am glad I could help you!
Brilliant
So, stem has a lexical meaning while base doesn't?
Exactly. A stem MUST have a lexical meaning while a base can have one but doesn't have to.
I am not sure if this rule would apply 100% of the time, but think of it like this: "Every stem is a base, but not every base is a stem." If the base has lexical meaning, it is also a stem. If it doesn't, it is not a stem but just a base (or maybe a root as well)
Affixes
You can find a video about affixes on the channel right here: ua-cam.com/video/YVWM9I3Mcts/v-deo.html
I hope this helps you! :)