IntroductiontoLexicology.ppt

Introduction to Lexicologyn nIt is a convention in textbooks to begin with a definition of the field of study.In linguistics,phonology is defined as the study of the sound system of language,syntax as the study of the systematic ways sentences are formed in language,semantics as the study of meaning and the systematic ways those meanings are expressed in language.n nBut what about the definition of lexicology?n n Lexicology is the branch of linguistics that studies all aspects of the vocabulary of a particular language.Serving as an introduction to the lexicology of modern English,this book provides an account of the sources of modern English words and studies the development of vocabulary over time.It examines what words are and how they are made up.n n This book surveys the study of words,providing an overview of basic issues in defining and understanding the word as a unit of language.The term lexicology contains two Greek morphemes:lexicon and logie.The former means word and the latter means learning or the study of.The literal meaning of the term is the science of words.Lexicology is the branch of linguistics concerned with the study of the vocabulary of a given language.It deals with words,their origin,development,history,structure,meaning and application.In short,it is the study of the signification and application of words.n n Aims of the course of English Lexicology All the words in a language together constitute what is known as its vocabulary.Vocabulary is one of three elements of language:speech sounds,grammar and vocabulary.In learning a foreign language,it is very important to enlarge ones vocabulary.In order to learn and use English words correctly,those who major in the English language should acquire a basic knowledge of English lexicology.n nThe aim of the course in English lexicology is to The aim of the course in English lexicology is to give a systematic description of the English give a systematic description of the English vocabulary.vocabulary.Concretely speaking,English lexicology Concretely speaking,English lexicology offers students an insight into the origin and offers students an insight into the origin and development of the English vocabulary.It deals with development of the English vocabulary.It deals with meanings of Modern English words and their changes meanings of Modern English words and their changes in the course of historical development.It discusses the in the course of historical development.It discusses the problems of word-structure and word-formation in problems of word-structure and word-formation in English,including the formation of new words which English,including the formation of new words which have appeared since the Second World war.It also have appeared since the Second World war.It also studies the use of English words,phrases and idioms.studies the use of English words,phrases and idioms.n nThe significance of a course in English lexicology The significance of a course in English lexicology for language learningfor language learning The course will help the learners to enlarge their The course will help the learners to enlarge their vocabulary and improve their ability to analyze and use vocabulary and improve their ability to analyze and use English words.English lexicology as a theory of English words.English lexicology as a theory of Modern English may be useful in vocabulary study Modern English may be useful in vocabulary study because it derives from practice and should guide because it derives from practice and should guide practice since it is known that language learning practice since it is known that language learning requires practice.Students will use the basic knowledge requires practice.Students will use the basic knowledge of English lexicology to understand the material already of English lexicology to understand the material already familiar to them from English classes and apply it in familiar to them from English classes and apply it in their further study of English.their further study of English.n nThe connection of Lexicology with other branches of Linguistics.1)with phonetics:Phonetics is the study and systematic classification of the sounds made in the spoken utterance,that is,the study of speech sounds.It is closely related to lexicology.Without sound there is no word because every word is a unity of sound and meaning.2)with grammar:Vocabulary and grammar are organically related to one another.In learning a language,attention to grammar is as important as attention to vocabulary.It is noted that the vocabulary is the building material of a language.The vocabulary of a language assumes tremendous importance when it comes under the control of grammar,which is concerned with the modification in form of words and the combination of words into sentences.3)with stylistics:3)with stylistics:Leech defines stylistics as the study of the use of language Leech defines stylistics as the study of the use of language in literature and considers stylistics a meeting ground of in literature and considers stylistics a meeting ground of linguistics and literary study.To put it here concerning linguistics and literary study.To put it here concerning lexicology,Stylistics is the study of optional variations in lexicology,Stylistics is the study of optional variations in the sounds,forms,or vocabulary of a language,different the sounds,forms,or vocabulary of a language,different situations of use,or different literary types.It should be situations of use,or different literary types.It should be mentioned that lexicology studies stylistic variants on the mentioned that lexicology studies stylistic variants on the basis of meanings of words and their changes:synonyms,basis of meanings of words and their changes:synonyms,antonyms,etc.Stylistics is concerned with language variety antonyms,etc.Stylistics is concerned with language variety differing according to use rather than user.The same user differing according to use rather than user.The same user may use different varieties for different purposes,different may use different varieties for different purposes,different situations,in conversation with different people,to situations,in conversation with different people,to produce different effects.The same subject matter can be produce different effects.The same subject matter can be expressed in different styles,e.g.expressed in different styles,e.g.n n(1)His beloved friend has breathed his last (咽气)n n(2)His dear friend has passed away（与世长辞）n n(3)His close friend has died（死了）n n(4)His old guy has kicked the bucket.（一命呜呼）n n(5)His old friend has abandoned the world/joined the choir invisible/gone to Nirvana/paid the debt of nature（谢世/归寂/去极乐世界/了结尘缘）n nAbove all,there are some terms to be clarified.n n Lexicon refers to the overall system of words forms.n n Morphology refers to the study of word formation in language.n n Vocabulary refers to a list or set of words for a particular language or a list or set of words that individual speakers of a language might use.4)with historical linguistics:n nHistorical linguistics studies words from the view point of diachrony,whereas lexicology studies words from the view point of both synchrony and diachrony,but especially of synchrony.