Exponent (linguistics)


An exponent is a phonological manifestation of a morphosyntactic property. In non-technical language, it is the expression of one or more grammatical properties by sound. There are several kinds of exponents:
The identity exponent is both simple and common: it has no phonological manifestation at all.
An example in English:
DEER + PLURAL → deer

Affixation

Affixation is the addition of a prefix, suffix or infix to a word.
An example in English:
WANT + PAST → wanted

Reduplication

is the repetition of part of a word.
An example in Sanskrit:
DA + PRESENT + ACTIVE + INDICATIVE + FIRST PERSON + SINGULAR → dadaami

Internal modification

There are several types of internal modification. An internal modification may be segmental, meaning it changes a sound in the root.
An example in English:
STINK + PAST = stank
An internal modification might be a suprasegmental modification. An example would be a change in pitch or stress.
An example of the latter in English :
RECÓRD + NOUN = récord

Subtraction

Subtraction is the removal of a sound or a group of sounds.
An example in French:
OEUF /œf/ + PLURAL = œufs /ø/