What is a morpheme?

A morpheme is defined as the smallest meaningful unit of language. This means that it can be a standalone word or a part of a word, such as a prefix or suffix, that conveys meaning. For example, "cat" is a single morpheme that represents a specific concept, and "unhappiness" consists of three morphemes: "un-" (not), "happy" (the state), and "-ness" (state or condition). Recognizing morphemes helps in understanding the structure of words and their meanings in different contexts.

The other options, although related to language in some way, do not accurately convey what a morpheme is. A collection of letters without meaning lacks the essential aspect of meaning that characterizes morphemes. A written symbol does not encompass the broader functional significance of morphemes, as it could refer to any symbol not specifically tied to meaning. Language-specific symbols may relate to transcription systems or specific writing systems but do not capture the concept of morphemes and their role in language comprehension and structure.