Lexis And Semantics Flashcards
What is the study of lexis and semantics focused on?
The vocabulary system of English
Define denotative meaning.
The literal, dictionary definition of a word
Define connotative meaning.
The emotional or cultural association with a word
What are signifiers in semiotics?
Words that represent or signify ideas
What is a metaphor?
A figure of speech that describes something by comparing it to something else
What are semantic fields?
Groups of words related in meaning
What are synonyms?
Words that have similar meanings
What are antonyms?
Words that have opposite meanings
Define hypernyms.
Words that denote a general category
Define hyponyms.
Words that denote a specific instance of a category
What does the variation in vocabulary choices depend on?
Audience and purpose
What is meant by specialist registers?
Vocabulary specific to a particular profession or group
What are sociolects?
Variations in language use among different social groups
What do dialects reflect?
Variations according to group membership and geographical locality
How does text design reflect language use?
It shows variation between individuals, groups, communities, and nations
What are the processes through which new words are formed?
- Blending
- Compounding
- Clipping
- Forming acronyms
- Forming initialisms
- Creating eponyms
What is semantic narrowing?
When a word’s meaning becomes more specific over time
What is semantic broadening?
When a word’s meaning becomes more general over time
What is amelioration?
When a word takes on a more positive meaning over time
What is pejoration?
When a word takes on a more negative meaning over time
What is semantic reclamation?
The process of taking back a word that has been used negatively and redefining it positively
What are denotative and connotative meanings?
Denotative meanings are the literal meanings of words, while connotative meanings are the associated meanings.
What is figurative language?
Language used in a non-literal way to describe something in another’s terms, such as simile or metaphor.
Define semantic fields.
Groups of words connected by a shared field of reference, such as medicine or art.
What are synonyms?
Words that have equivalent meanings.
What are antonyms?
Words that have contrasting meanings.
What are hypernyms?
Words that label categories, such as ‘animal’ which includes dog, cat, and rabbit.
Define hyponyms.
Words that can be included in a larger, more general category, like car, bus, and aeroplane as forms of the hypernym transport.
What are levels of formality?
Vocabulary styles including slang, colloquialisms, taboo, formal, and fixed levels.
What is an occupational register?
A technical vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.
Define sociolect.
A language style associated with a particular social group.
What is a dialect?
A language style associated with a particular geographical region.
Fill in the blank: _______ refers to words that have equivalent meanings.
Synonyms
Fill in the blank: _______ are words that label categories.
Hypernyms
True or False: Hyponyms can include broader categories.
True
True or False: Figurative language is used literally.
False
What is neology?
The process of new word formation, including blends, compounds, acronyms, initialisms, and eponyms.
What are the components of neology?
- Blends
- Compounds
- Acronyms
- Initialisms
- Eponyms
What is semantic change?
The process of words changing meaning.
What are the types of semantic change?
- Narrowing
- Broadening
- Amelioration
- Pejoration
- Semantic reclamation
Fill in the blank: The process of new word formation is called _______.
[neology]
True or False: Semantic change only involves the broadening of word meanings.
False
Fill in the blank: In neology, a word formed by combining parts of two words is called a _______.
[blend]
