Final Answer:
The example that best illustrates reduplication is altering "mother" to "mama." Thus, the correct answer is (c) Altering "mother" to "mama".
Step-by-step explanation:
Reduplication is a linguistic phenomenon where a part of a word, either a syllable or a portion of it, is repeated to create a new word or form. The example that best illustrates reduplication among the given options is altering "mother" to "mama." In this case, the syllable "ma" is reduplicated, creating a new word with a similar meaning but a modified form.
Reduplication often involves the repetition or partial repetition of sounds or syllables within a word, resulting in a change that might convey nuances in meaning, express affection, indicate plurality, or serve various linguistic purposes. In this instance, "mama" is an example of reduplication because the syllable "ma" is doubled or repeated within the word, transforming the original word "mother" into a modified, reduplicated form.
Unlike the other options provided, such as forming comparatives (e.g., "happier") or plurals (e.g., "cats"), which involve affixes or changes in grammatical structure rather than reduplication, "mama" exemplifies reduplication by doubling a syllable within the word to create a new term. Reduplication is a linguistic phenomenon found in various languages and is used for diverse purposes, showcasing how language adapts and evolves through these phonological processes.
Thus, the correct answer is (c) Altering "mother" to "mama".