Lexis and Semantics

Question 1

Denotative and connotative meanings

Answer 1

Denotative meanings are the literal meanings of words. Connotative meanings are the associated or underlying meanings of words.

Question 2

Figurative language

Answer 2

Language used in a non-literal way in order to describe something in different terms.

Question 3

Semantic fields

Answer 3

Groups of words connected by a shared field of reference, eg. medicine or art.

Question 4

Antonyms

Answer 4

Antonyms: words that have contrasting meanings.

Question 5

Hypernyms

Answer 5

Hypernyms: words that label categories, eg animal (this category includes for example dog, cat and rabbit).

Question 6

Hyponyms

Answer 6

Words that can be included in a larger, more general category (e.g. the hyponyms car, bus, airplane as a form of the hypernym transport).

Question 7

Occupational register

Answer 7

Technical vocabulary associated with a specific occupation or activity.

Question 8

Sociolect

Answer 8

A language style associated with a particular social group.

Question 9

Dialect

Answer 9

A style of language associated with a specific geographical region.

Question 10

Neology

Answer 10

The process of new words forming, including the following: blends, compounds, acronyms, initialisms, eponyms.

Question 11

Semantic change

Answer 11

Process of words changing their meanings, including the following: narrowing, broadening, amelioration, pejoration, semantic reclamation.

Question 12

Synonyms

Answer 12

Words with the same meaning.

Question 13

Levels of Formality

Answer 13

Styles of vocabulary based on the topic and its readers which include slang, colloquialisms, taboo, formal and fixed levels.