Here's a breakdown:
* Stem: The basic form of a word, containing its core meaning. For example, "walk" is the stem of "walker", "walking", and "walked".
* Morpheme: The smallest meaningful unit of language. Morphemes can be words themselves, like "cat" or "run", or parts of words, like the "-ing" in "walking".
* Suffix: A morpheme added to the end of a word to change its meaning or grammatical function.
How stem extenders work:
1. Preparation for suffixation: Sometimes, a suffix cannot be directly attached to a stem without causing a phonological clash or ambiguity. A stem extender solves this by adding a sound or syllable to the stem.
2. No change in meaning: The stem extender itself doesn't alter the core meaning of the word. Its purpose is purely structural.
Examples:
* English: The "-e" in "love" is a stem extender that prepares the stem for the suffix "-ing" (loving). Without the "-e", the stem would be pronounced with a short vowel sound ("lov"), leading to ambiguity with words like "love" (present tense).
* German: The "e" in "Liebe" (love) is a stem extender that prepares the stem for the suffix "-n" (loving). Without the "e", the stem would be pronounced with a short vowel sound ("Lieb"), leading to ambiguity with words like "lieb" (dear).
In summary:
Stem extenders are like a bridge between the stem of a word and the suffix that is meant to be attached to it. They ensure that the word's pronunciation and meaning remain clear, even when adding complex grammatical elements.