Root (linguistics)

Under root (actually root word ) is understood in linguistics morphologically not decomposable word core. Formally speaking, this word core is traditionally considered any particular part of speech or word class belonging. But often, this word core can be considered as verbal nature ( at least semantically ), which is why more accurate also speaks of verb roots ( al ) in these cases; but there are, for example, also nominal roots and Pronominalwurzeln. So go the root word for the word forms are going to walk, going out, etc., gold is the root word for the word forms gold, golden, gilded, etc. The root of a word thus forms the smallest unit ( morphological atom ) for the word education.

In contrast to the root of the root word may be divided and assigned to a particular part of speech, and is the initial shape to form new words, eg, by derivation, conversion, composition ( in word form ) or by flexion ( inflected ). The root is subject to at most the Ablautbildung. In linguistics, a root meaning a morphological atom is often marked with the symbol √.

In German, stem and root coincide in general. In Latin or in Sanskrit the difference between stem and root is still clear:

• Example latin Root: √ leg ( meaning: " to collect, read, select " )
• Tribe: lector ( noun agentis: " the reader ", formed by derivation )
• Inflected word: lectoris ( stem genitive ending )

• Root: √ DHA ( धा )
• Tribe: Dadha ( दधा ) (formed by reduplication )
• Inflected word: dadhāti ( दधाति ) ( " he shall " )

In the Indo-European parent language of the parent is formed from the root and one or more suffixes to be used for the root formation. Suffix (s ), and extension is referred to collectively as output; these are often fused together to form a not clearly divisible unit. In certain cases, however, the tribe consists of only one root with no obvious extensions; then we speak of Wurzelflexion (eg roots omen root present, root- ).

In historical linguistics, the term root is sometimes inaccurately applied to a developed by historical standards core. However, this may as well consist of a root word or even a full word form.

In this sense, the common origin of a root in linguistics is often marked with the symbol *. However, the asterisk marks only forms that developed reconstructive, are not used directly. In some cases ( eg in the case of the Romance languages ​​), a preform or a common precursor is rigged, so the Asterisk ( the star symbol ) is then not used.

In Semitic languages, most words are based on a dreikonsonantigen root. See radical ( Semitic languages).