Preview

Lexicology as the Subject

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1140 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Lexicology as the Subject
* Lexicology is the part of linguistics which studies words, their nature and meaning, words' elements, relations between words (semantical relations), word groups and the whole lexicon. The term first appeared in the 1820s, though there were lexicologists in essence before the term was coined. Computational lexicology as a related field (in the same way that computational linguistics is related to linguistics) deals with the computational study of dictionaries and their contents. An allied science to lexicology is lexicography, which also studies words in relation with dictionaries – it is actually concerned with the inclusion of words in dictionaries and from that perspective with the whole lexicon. Therefore lexicography is the theory and practice of composing dictionaries. Sometimes lexicography is considered to be a part or a branch of lexicology, but the two disciplines should not be mistaken: only lexicologists who do write dictionaries are lexicographers. It is said that lexicography is the practical lexicology, it is practically oriented though it has its own theory, while the pure lexicology is mainly theoretical. * The term «lexicology» is of Greek origin from «lexis» - «word» and «logos» - «science». Lexicology is the part of linguistics, which deals with the vocabulary and characteristic features of words and word-groups.
The term «vocabulary» is used to denote the system of words and word-groups that the language possesses.
The term «word» denotes the main lexical unit of a language resulting from the association of a group of sounds with a meaning. This unit is used in grammatical functions characteristic of it. It is the smallest unit of a language, which can stand alone as a complete utterance.
The term «word-group» denotes a group of words which exists in the language as a ready-made unit, has the unity of meaning, the unity of syntactical function, e.g. the word-group «as loose as a goose» means «clumsy» and is used in a sentence

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    1. Words Are Arbitrary Signs- A word is a semantic sign which is a combination of symbols or sounds that represent an idea. Spoken words are a mixture of sounds that represent a specific idea. Written words put letters together that represent sounds to represent a concept. The ideas that are being attempted to communicate can be written or oral.…

    • 1204 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Trait-based perspectives of leadership have been an enduring topic throughout history. The actual inception of leadership and trait-based perspectives is arguable. However, there is no denying its evolution, as seen through research. Zaccaro (2007) stated the analysis of leadership and traits dates back to Galton’s (1869) Hereditary Genius, which articulated two distinct and important points. First, a definition of leadership, which describes exclusive and unique characteristics, possessed by individuals. These individuals were so compelling they were capable of changing the path of events with their judgment and decisions (Zaccaro, 2007). This point while antiquated and dated appeared to be the pioneer of the transformational leadership,…

    • 777 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Psy 360 Language Essay

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Have you ever wondered how we speak? How about why our communication is considered a language and other animal’s communication is not considered language? A wide range of beliefs exist on what defines language. Thus, by exploring the definition of language and lexicon, evaluating language’s key features, the four levels of language structure and processing, and the role of language in Cognitive Psychology, an understanding of what language is becomes clear. Let us begin by defining language and a term named lexicon.…

    • 1420 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Linguistics is the scientific study of language. It endeavours to answer the question – what is language and how is it represented in the mind? Language is a system of symbols and rules; exclusive in its form to human beings that enables us to communicate. Symbols are things that stand for other things: words, either written or spoken, are symbols and the rules specify how words are ordered to form sentences. Language symbols are arbitrary, with no necessary connection between the symbol, be it word or gesture, and the object or idea to which it refers. For example, if one wanted to construct a new word for ‘tree', they could use almost any legitimate combination of sounds that are not already being used for other purposes. However, symbols must be used systematically for effective communication to occur. The arbitrary symbol system must be shared; for communication to take place at least two people must have access to the system.…

    • 7055 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    Language and Lexicon

    • 909 Words
    • 3 Pages

    What is language? What is lexicon? Language can be fundamental defined by most of the general public today, but lexicon may not easily be explained. In ones general opinion, language is a form of communicating ideas, emotions, and opinions. It varies according to the culture and generation of the individuals using it. This paper provides a definition of language and lexicon, the features of language, the levels of language, and the role of language in cognitive psychology. (Willingham, 2007)What is language? Language is communication of thoughts and feelings through a system of arbitrary signals such as voice sounds, gestures, or written symbols. Language is one of the most difficult to define because there is not really one word that can actually describe language. Language is known to be the structure of communication using words either spoken or symbolized with a writing system, typically structured with grammar. Within language there are properties that are considered to be crucial. (Willingham, 2007)What are the key elements of language? The key elements of language are communicative, arbitrary, structured, generative, and dynamic. According to Willingham,Skinner argued that the principles of operant and classical conditioning could account for how children learn language. Chomsky argued that they could not because language is generative; behaviorist principles can account for whether someone is more likely to repeat an action taken previously, but a distinctive property of language is that we almost never say the same thing twice. In essence, Chomsky was saying that Skinners theory was bound to miss the mark because Skinner failed to appreciate what language is.…

    • 909 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    · This investigation will be looking at the positives and negatives of using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), and providing viewpoints on whether it is ethical to continue using this toxic plastic. PVC is a useful plastic, but can be harmful to humans and the environment. This plastic is used in medicinal tablet containers, to make bags for bedding, shrink wrap, deli and meat wrap, and tamper resistant lids. When it has been plasticised, it can be used to make artificial leather, bath tub toys, inflatable bathing rings and table cloths. (Dvorsky and Bennington-Castro)…

    • 417 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Language Paper

    • 1227 Words
    • 5 Pages

    If a person were asked to define language they would probably just comment on the fact of verbal communication. In fact the true definition of language is that it is a systematic means of communicating by the use of sounds or conventional symbols (Caplan, 2007). When a person talks about lexicon they are literally talking about a person’s vocabulary. According to Caplan, lexicon’s definition is that it is a language’s vocabulary or the language user’s knowledge of words (2007). As stated above language is a cognitive function that is actually part of a process called the linguistic process. The linguistic process allows a person to be able to not only produce communication, but to be able to understand it as well. This concept will be explored more throughout the paper.…

    • 1227 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Lexicon - a reference book that alphabetically lists words and their meanings, e.g. of an ancient language…

    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Each word is linked with concepts and ideas. These concepts and ideas take form from the way language is used in communication. Communication itself is the "practice of producing meanings, and the ways in which systems of meaning are negotiated by participants in a culture"(Schirato, T. & Yell, S. 2000). In turn, culture is best understood as the matrix of meaning formed by communication. The understanding of how to navigate the cultural matrix and mould its structure is defined as cultural literacy (Schirato, T. & Yell, S. 2000). Thus a word is more than its dictionary definition. The definition is perhaps a frame to a painting, but the way a word is used in communication gives it…

    • 609 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Language – the words people use to communicate within their community, nation, geographical area and cultural tradition.…

    • 391 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Language and Lexicon Paper

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Language is an attribute that only human can have. Language is a system for expressing or communicating thought and feelings through speech sounds or written symbols. The communicative system used by a particular speech community with its distinctive vocabulary, grammar, and phonological system. Lexicon is the vocabulary of a language, the lexical knowledge of an individual. Lexicon is more along the lines of what speech sounds or written symbols mean in a language. If you don’t know the lexicon of a language you cannot possibly know the language. Almost every culture has its own language and lexicon. (Lexicon & Language)…

    • 1061 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Different cultures have different languages, sub-dialects, syntax and lexicon as well as all the vocabulary and grammatical components of each language. A lexicon refers to a part of the memory that acts as a dictionary. Thus, we can say that the lexicon organizes what is heard. The lexicon stores components related to words such as; pronunciation, spelling, and a part of speech (Willingham, 2007). The lexicon has a close relationship with language and its functions, and even though it does not identify word definition it does contain a pointer…

    • 1127 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Best Essays

    The science that deals with the internal structure of the words and the systematic form-meaning…

    • 3579 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    A thesaurus is a set of terms that are semantically related. There was a turning point in thesaurus construction in 1951. Its structure creates a semantic map of the sciences, including broader and narrower terms, and a bridge between different scientific fields (related terms). The semantic pluralism of the science was introduced into information storage and retrieval. The one-dimensional thinking of AMV (the dictionary),…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays

Related Topics