How do derivational morphemes contribute to vocabulary development?

Derivational morphemes play a crucial role in vocabulary development by creating new words that often come with different meanings than the base words from which they are derived. These morphemes can be prefixes or suffixes that, when attached to a root word, alter its meaning and grammatical category. For instance, adding the prefix "un-" to the word "happy" transforms it into "unhappy," which not only changes the meaning but also enhances the vocabulary by introducing a new concept. This process of word formation allows speakers and writers to expand their language and facilitates more precise expression of ideas, leading to richer vocabulary use.

While changing verbs into nouns, forming compound words, or converting adjectives into adverbs are also important aspects of how language evolves and expands, they do not encompass the broader capability of derivational morphemes to generate entirely new words with distinct meanings. Hence, the ability to create nuanced terminology and a more diverse lexicon is a fundamental aspect of how derivational morphemes contribute to vocabulary development.