Lexis definitions Flashcards
Choice of lexis (what the booklet puts as it’s examples)
jargon, dialect, slang, colloquialisms, swearing, taboo terms, clichés, euphemisms, dysphemisms, archaisms
jargon
specialist terms
dialect,
a particular form of a language which is peculiar to a specific region or social group.
slang,
a type of language consisting of words and phrases that are regarded as very informal, are more common in speech than writing, and are typically restricted to a particular context or group of people.
colloquialisms,
a word or phrase that is not formal or literary and is used in ordinary or familiar conversation.
swearing,
I mean… when someone swears. I guess just the use of a taboo word would be the definition.
taboo terms,
Something that’s not socially acceptable to say
clichés,
a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought. (definition, not necessarily the way i always see i used but i suppose i will have to check on that because people do use them for intentionally ironic reasons)
euphemisms,
Saying something in a way as to make it sound nicer
dysphemisms,
Saying something in a way as to make it sound nastier
archaisms
Intentional use of old fashioned terms
Choices indicating factors such as levels of formality and education, e.g. :
elevated, literate, sophisticated, Latinate, unusual and polysyllabic terms (largely a reading or writing vocabulary) as opposed to simple, everyday, vernacular and monosyllabic (largely a speaking vocabulary).
elevated,
it is formal, sophisticated, or high-level, often characterized by complex vocabulary, grammatical structures, and rhetorical devices
literate,
the use of standard language that adheres to the conventions of formal written and spoken communication
Latinate,
relating to, resembling, or derived from Latin. That stupid thing that people do.
polysyllabic
Multiple syllables (obvs)
highfalutin
(especially of speech, writing, or ideas) pompous or pretentious.
Lexeme
a lexeme is a unit of language that represents a single meaning. This could either be something like “un” such as in “undo” or it could be something like “run” because that’s the specific meaning word that then can be changed into other words such as “running” or “runner”.
Types of word, e.g. :
compound, shortening, abbreviation, acronym, neologism, blend, loan word
compound,
When two or more words combine to form one individual word or a phrase that acts as one individual word. eg. Firefighter
shortening,
When the actual word in use is becoming shorter or would be considered the full word despite it originally being longer. eg. thanks
abbreviation,
a word that’s used in place of a longer word while still being used as the longer word. eg. thx as opposed to thanks
acronym,
That’s just that whole series of letters each one standing for something thing. eg. BBC
neologism,
either a new word or an old one that has gained a new meaning.
