Lexis and Semantics Flashcards
Denotative and connotative meanings
the literal (denotative) and associated (connotative) meanings of words.
Figurative language
language used in a non-literal way in order to describe something in another’s terms (e.g. simile or metaphor).
Semantic fields
groups of connected by a shared field of reference, eg medicine, art.
Synonyms
words that have equivalent meanings.
Antonyms
words that have contrasting meanings.
Hypernyms
words that label categories, eg animal (dogs, cats and rabbits).
Hyponyms
words that can be included in a larger, more general category (e.g. car, bus, airplanes as a form go the hypernym transport).
Levels of formality
vocabulary styles including slang, colloquialisms, taboo, formal and fixed levels.
Occupational register
a technical vocabulary associated with a particular occupation or activity.
Sociolect
a language style associated with a particular social group.
Dialect
a language style associated with a particular geographical region.
Neology
the process of new word formation, including the following: blends, compounds, acronyms, initialisms, eponyms.
Semantic change
the process of words changing meaning, including the following: narrowing, broadening, amelioration, pejoration, semantic reclamation.
Taboo
prohibited or restricted by social custom
Euphemism
a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing
