What are morphemes recognized as in linguistics?

The correct answer identifies morphemes as the smallest meaningful units in a language. Morphemes can be individual words, but they can also be smaller parts of words, such as prefixes, suffixes, and roots that carry meaning. For example, the word “cats” consists of two morphemes: “cat,” which is a standalone word meaning the animal, and “-s,” which indicates plurality. This definition is central to understanding language structure, as morphemes serve as the building blocks for constructing words and conveying meanings.

Recognizing morphemes as the smallest meaningful units emphasizes their significance in linguistic analysis and the formation of language. Understanding morphemes allows for a deeper exploration of how words are formed, how meanings can be derived, and how they function in communication.