UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF ZERO MORPHEMES.

Abstract

This research article explores the intricate nature of zero morphemes, often referred to as "meaningful absence" in morphological theory. While overt morphemes are identified by their phonetic presence, zero morphemes function as silent yet critical markers within linguistic paradigms. The study delves into the structural necessity of null elements in English, Russian, and Uzbek, analyzing how they facilitate the principle of linguistic economy. By examining the historical evolution of the concept from Ferdinand de Saussure to modern generative grammar, the article argues that zero morphemes are indispensable for maintaining systematic balance in language. The findings suggest that identifying zero morphemes is crucial for accurate semantic decoding and grammatical analysis.