Короткевич_Лексикология

Overview of Lexicology in English

Introduction

Lexicology deals with the properties of words and vocabulary. This practical guide outlines key concepts within English lexicology and provides a comprehensive understanding tailored for students of foreign languages at Gomel State University.

Structure of the Guide

This guide consists of eight main topics:

  1. Lexicology as a Branch of Linguistics

  2. Lexical Units and the Notion of Lexical System

  3. Etymological Structure of the English Vocabulary

  4. Morphological Structure of English Words and Classification of Morphemes

  5. Word Formation in Modern English

  6. The Meaning of the Word

  7. Phraseology: Phraseological Units in the English Language

  8. Variants and Dialects of the English Language

Key Concepts in Lexicology

Lexicology as a Branch of Linguistics

  • Definition: The term 'lexicology' combines Greek morphemes: lexis (word) and logos (learning), reflecting its focus on the study of words.

  • Objectives: It investigates morphemes, words, set expressions, vocabulary systems, and aims to systematically describe vocabulary in terms of its origin, development, and current usage.

Types of Lexicology

  • General Lexicology: Study of words and vocabulary irrespective of any specific language.

  • Special Lexicology: Focuses on the lexicology of a particular language, such as English or Russian, including historical and descriptive branches.

Lexical Units and Vocabulary System

  • Lexical Units: Include individual words, morphemes, and set expressions that serve as fundamental elements of a language's vocabulary.

  • Lexical System: Represents an adaptive and coherent set of elements that changes according to communicative needs.

Etymology and Vocabulary Structure

Etymological Structure of English Vocabulary

  • Native and Borrowed Words: Distinction between words of Anglo-Saxon origin and those adopted from other languages.

  • Types of Borrowing: Words can enter English through oral or written forms, and they can be classified based on their degree of assimilation and linguistic origin.

Morphological Structure of English Words

  • Morphemes: The smallest meaningful units in language which can be classified into root, prefix, and suffix categories.

  • Classification of Morphemes: Free morphemes (independent) vs. bound morphemes (dependent on other morphemes).

Word Formation and Semantic Structure

Word Formation in Modern English

  • Affixation: Formation of words through prefixes and suffixes, potentially altering the grammatical category of the base word.

  • Other Methods: Composition, conversion, and shortening also contribute to the formation of new words.

Meaning of the Word

  • Types of Meaning: Discerning grammatical, lexical, and part-of-speech meanings is crucial for understanding words in context.

  • Polysemy: Many English words have multiple meanings that can be organized into semantic structures.

Phraseology and its Evaluation

Phraseology and Phraseological Units

  • Definition: Phraseological units are stable expressions with meanings that often differ from the sum of their parts.

  • Categorization: Can be identified through semantic and structural stability, among other criteria.

Variants and Dialects of English

  • Geographical and Territorial Variants: English has numerous variants such as British, American, Australian, and Indian English, each with unique lexical and phonological characteristics.

  • Standard English: Considered the widely accepted form of English across different variants, maintaining uniformity in literature and formal communication.

Conclusion

This guide aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of lexicology that helps in mastering the English language by focusing on its vocabulary structure, etymology, morphology, and the nuances of meaning. It encourages further exploration of linguistics to enhance language learning.