Here's why:
* Core Meaning: The semantic meaning of a word, at its core, is the basic concept it represents. For example, the word "run" conveys the concept of moving quickly on foot. This core meaning is largely independent of inflections and affixes.
* Inflections: Inflections are grammatical changes to a word that modify its grammatical function (e.g., tense, number, gender). They don't change the core meaning of the word, but they do influence how the word is used in a sentence. For example:
* "Run" (present tense) vs. "running" (present participle) both refer to the act of moving quickly on foot.
* "Cat" (singular) vs. "cats" (plural) both refer to the same animal.
* Affixes: Affixes are prefixes or suffixes that are added to a word to change its meaning or grammatical function. While affixes can modify the core meaning, they often build on the core meaning rather than completely replacing it. For example:
* "Re-run" builds on the core meaning of "run" to indicate repeating the action.
* "Un-happy" uses the prefix "un-" to negate the core meaning of "happy."
Therefore:
* The semantic meaning of a word is not entirely separate from inflections and affixes. Inflections and affixes can subtly modify or expand on the core meaning.
* However, the semantic meaning is primarily determined by the base word and its core concept.
Let me know if you'd like to explore any of these concepts in more detail!